Fresh violence erupts in Jammu

Jammu, Sept 20 : Fresh violence erupted in Jammu on Saturday as police resorted to baton-charge and firing in the air to disperse agitated protesters.

The authorities had denied permission to protesters to hold a function to pay tributes to those who died in Hindu shrine land stir.

The function was organised by Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) members to pay homage to those who died in recent violence over the land row in the region and give financial assistance to their families.

Trouble began as police stopped activists of SASS, which spearheaded almost two-month long agitation in the region, from entering a theatre.

Agitated activists started pelting stones which was retaliated by police by firing tear gas shells and baton charging.

At least ten people have been injured in the clashes, as per reports.

Leader of SASS Leela Karan Sharma however said that they had booked the theater in advance and administration cancelled the booking without citing any reasons.

"One of our constituent 'Sansaar Bharti' had made the booking. They cancelled the booking in the morning without any reason. I feel that administration does not want Jammu to stay in peace," Sharma told reporters.

Reportedly, SASS has called for a two-day shutdown in the region.

The dispute began over allocation of land for setting up temporary facilities for Hindu pilgrims visiting Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir valley and later its withdrawal snowballed into large-scale protests for about two months.

ANI