Curfew imposed, 20 cops hurt in Jammu clashes

Jammu, Jul 1: Following violent clashes between police and public in Jammu on the Amarnath land issue, the administration imposed curfew in northern and western parts of the state.

Altogether 30 people, including 20 policemen, were wounded in clashes on the second day of 'bandh. To avoid any untoward incident, following heavy stone pelting and fierce clashes between the police and public, the authorities imposed indefinite curfew in some parts of old city and western areas that witnessed vociferous protests. ''The protestors turned violent and they along with the activists of various political parties ransacked the police vehicles and pelted stones injuring over 12 policemen and a couple of photo journalists,'' a senior police official told the sources.

Taking precautionary measures, the civil administration ordered imposition of curfew in Rehari, Bakshi Nagar, Nowabad, Talab Tillo, Janipura, Sarwal and New Plot areas, besides section 144 of the CrPc, which have been imposed in remaining parts of the winter capital.

At least 30 people, including 20 policemen, got injured, one of them critically, who opened fire in Muthi wounding two youths.

Irked over this, the mob assualted the SPO, took another policeman as hostage and threw their weapons into a river. The army rescued the cops and hospitalised them later.

Jatwal Police Post in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir was also damaged by the agitating mob.

''The window panes of the police post were ransacked and the police vehicles were torched by the enraged people. The police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control,'' a senior police official said.

Meanwhile, violent protests marked in Kathua district, but no reports of any damage to public property and vehicles were reported, J P Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kathua, added.

UNI