*NPP activists too stage demonstrations
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 2: While in yet another fresh clash between the activists of Congress and NPP at Battal Morh this morning, the driver of PYC general secretary R S Pathania and another activist were seriously injured, the Congress activists held strong protest demonstration at Ramnagar and Majalta area against local Panthers Party MLA Harshdev Singh and Sarpanch from his party Rajesh Kumar of Majalta area for alleged murderous attack on Mr Pathania late last evening.
At Battal Morh some supporters of Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar allegedly attacked Romesh Chander Verma (42), driver of PYC leader R S Pathania and another Congress activist Sushil Chander, residents of Deot. They were standing at Battal Morh where some mini-buses for carrying Congress activists to Udhampur party convention were parked. Over a tiff some NPP workers allegedly attacked Romesh and Vishal. Romesh with serious head injury was shifted to Majalta PHC. He received eight stitches on his head. Later, he was referred to Jammu. The BMO said that he received nearly 3 inch cut and was provide first aid and then referred to Udhampur. Mr Pathnia who was attacked by Sarpanch and his supporters last evening was too, was referred to GMC Jammu late night from Udhampur hospital. The police said that a case has been registered and teams have been sent to nab the accused persons.
Tension gripped the area after this clash. The police was rushed to the area. The Congress workers started protest on Dhar Road and disrupted movement of traffic for some time. The people were demanding removal of SHO Majalta. However, with the intervention of police the tension was defused.
Reports from Ramnagar said that a large number of Congress leaders and activists led by PCC general secretary Vinod Khajuria and secretary Varinder Singh assembled near Bus Stand at Ramnagar and started protest demonstration against the attack on Congress leader R S Pathania by Sarpanch and NPP Block Committee member Rajesh Kumar at Pardai in Majalta area late last evening. They alleged that attack was engineered by the MLA to create terror among the Congress and other party workers.
Not only Congress but a large number of BJP and PDP workers including Rajinder Sharma and Nassar Ali also joined the protest. They burnt the effigy of MLA and demanded action against him. They demanded that all the culprits including conspirators be arrested and if the police tried to shield the guilty they would intensify agitation in Ramnagar and Majalta. They also raised slogans against police and administration for biased attitude. The movement of traffic was disrupted for over an hour.
Sensing clash between NPP and Congress activists the SDPO and SHO rushed there and deployed additional security men. They assured the agitating people that action under law would be taken against the accused involved in attack. As there was Congress convention at Udhampur, many party activists left for Udhampur after protest.
Meanwhile, NPP workers and supporters of MLA also took out counter protest rally at Ramnagar town against Congress for the alleged attack on Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar by Pathania and his driver. They raised slogans in support of MLA and against Congress leader and demanded action. NPP youth leader Pawan Dev Singh was leading the protest. They alleged that false allegations were being raised against the MLA for the political gains. Later, they dispersed. Another protest was lodged by NPP activists at GMC Jammu today. Youth NPP leader Pushvinder Singh was leading. They raised slogans against Congress leader and demanded action against Pathania and his men for attack on NPP Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar from Panara.
Tension continued in the town today and people said that there is every possibility of clash between the two groups in near future. The administration was keeping close eye and also deployed additional security personnel.
Meanwhile, J&K High Court Bar suspended work in protest against the attack on senior lawyer R S Pathania by some political activists in Majalta area last evening when he was returning home after attending court cases. The work in the lower courts at Janipur Jammu was also suspended by the lawyers to lodge their protest. They demanded immediate arrest of all the accused involved in the attack.
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