Jammu observes peaceful bandh

Jammu, Sep 21: The winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday Sep 21 observed a complete shut down on as part of a two-day bandh call given by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) in protest against the state administration for preventing them from organising a function in memory of those killed during the two-month long agitation over restoration of 800 kanals land to the Amarnath Shrine Board.

Despite being a weekend, no rush of people was witnessed in the markets, while commercial vehicles including mini buses and auto rickshaws also remained off the roads.

The city gave a deserted look while thin attendance of commuters, vendors and hawkers was witnessed on day one of the bandh.

The Sangharsh Samiti called for two-day Jammu bandh after they were not allowed to enter the Abhinav Theatre yesterday where they had to felicitate the saints and compensate the families of those, who died in various incidents during the agitation.

The security forces, however, resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the agitators when they forcibly tried to barge into the venue in which at least dozen people, including policemen and women were injured.

Criticizing the state administration demanding the removal of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, the supporters of Sangharsh Samiti and the activists of saffron brigade raised anti-government slogans outside the venue and called for bandh.

The authorities in the Abhinav Theater, however, said the permission to hold the function was cancelled due to an erratic power supply and the ongoing renovation of the complex.

UNI