Protests, curfew san relaxation in Jammu

Jammu, Jul 3 (UNI) More than 60 people were injured in stepped up protests against the Jammu and Kashmir government for revoking the land transfer in favour of the SASB as no relaxation in curfew was given in the winter capital on the consecutive third day.

Life in Jammu province came to a grinding halt with the entire region, including remote villages, observing complete shut down in support of ''Bharat Bandh'' call given by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to protest against the state government's decision to revoke diversion of land in favour of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

Sources from Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Samba and Kathua districts informed UNI that the bandh call by the VHP, which was supported by BJP and other saffron parties, received massive response.

Even small markets, business establishments, shops and vehicular movement were closed in the remote areas of the districts to lodge protest against the government decision.

Defying curfew orders, people at many places in city outskirts came out on streets and staged protest demonstrations.

According to reports, more than 60 people were injured in police-public clashes in the region, while over 100 were picked up by police to control the situation.

After Bhaderwah and Samba towns yesterday, the civil administration today imposed curfew in Kathua town after thousands people burnt toll post at Lakhanpur.

Protesters also damaged vehicles and clashed with security forces, who resorted to lathi charge and teargas shells to disperse them, sources said.

Meanwhile, protesters set afire a police post at Hatli Morh in Kathua. ''In clashes and stone pelting, over two dozen people, including 10 policemen, were injured, while nearly 40 were picked up by police,'' official sources told UNI.

Thousands of people gathered in Bantalab area and attempted to march towards city defying curfew. ''They fought pitched battles with police, which dispersed them by resorting to baton charge and teargas shells,'' a source said.

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