Two killed, 30 injured in Jammu clashes

Srinagar, Aug 4: Two persons were killed and 30 others were wounded when police burst teargas shells and resorted to lathi-charge near here to disperse demonstrators protesting the alleged attack on Muslims in the Jammu region.

Official sources said the trouble started when a group of youths, who were raising slogans against the government at Maisuma, wanted to move towards Budshah chowk and historic Lal Chowk, nerve centre of the summer capital, in a procession. Police tried to stop them and asked them to disperse. However, the processionists insisted on moving forward. Police resorted to baton-charge to diffuse them and later fired teargas shells, official sources said. The trouble later spread to Gaw Kadal, Madina chowk and Red cross road where police had to fire teargas shells to disband the youths, who were joined by others in the protest. When cane-charge and teargassing proved ineffective, police opened fire in which two protesters were killed.

Senior police and security force officials rushed to the area to control the situation. Police fired dozens of teargas shells and resorted to repeated baton charge to disperse the demonstrators. About 30 people, including some policemen, were injured in the clashes.

UNI