Curfew clamped in Jammu zone, protests continue

Jammu, Aug 3 (UNI) Curfew has been clamped in the entire winter capital zone of Jammu and Kashmir to stem protests on the Amarnath land row with Army out in cities and towns to control the situation, an official spokesperson today said.

''Civil administration has imposed curfew in all the ten districts -- Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Poonch -- of the winter capital zone at midnight,'' the spokesperson told UNI.

Army was out in all the districts to control the situation.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (1-A) had been handed over to Army to ensure smooth movement of stranded vehicles.

''Almost all the stranded vehicles, including goods carriers and oil tankers, from Lakhanpur entry point (with Punjab border) to Qazigund (entry point to Kashmir) have been cleared with the Army assistance,'' the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, people at several places defied the curfew restrictions to hold demonstration against the government, despite heavy rains since morning, reports said.

''Situation in the region is tense but under control,'' the spokesperson said.

People of Jammu region were demanding restoration of the forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

UNI VJ SW RN1112