People continue to defy curfew despite Army deployment in Jammu

Jammu, Aug 2 (UNI) Army today staged a flag march through the city in Jammu and Samba districts as the situation remained tense with people defying curfew restrictions to hold protests over the Amarnath land row.

Over two dozen protesters, demanding restoration of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), were injured in clashes with police at several places in Jammu city overnight.

''At least ten people, including policemen, were injured when security forces resorted to fire at Bishnah, where Sadhvi Ritambra was scheduled to visit today,'' sources said.

Army was called out to control situation in Jammu, where massive protests and clashes took place after the visit of National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah and People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti yesterday to attend an all party meet with Governor N N Vohra.

All the arteries connecting Jammu were sealed by Army.

Even the movement of media persons was restricted this morning.

However, after realising that the repercussion of restriction on press may aggravate situation, Army allowed to move media persons carrying valid identity cards.

People were still defying curfew at many places and staging protest demonstrations. ''Protest rallies were taken out in Bantalab, Talab Tilloo, Panjtirthi, Nai Basti, Rampura and Doodadari Temple areas,'' a police source said, adding security forces fired teargas shells to disperse agitators.

''Protesters set afire a vehicle of Department of Youth Services and Sports at Gandhi Nagar,'' sources said.

More UNI VJ KK UCS1608