LETHPORA ATTACK FALLOUT: Miscreants in Jammu torch vehicles, pelt stones; curfew imposed

Jammu, Feb 15: Curfew was imposed in Jammu city following massive violence in which at least 12 persons were injured and dozens of vehicles damaged and torched by the mobs during a bandh call on Friday.
“Whereas, in view of prevailing law and order situation in district Jammu, there is every likelihood of breach of peace which may lead to acts of arson, targeting vehicles and causing loss of life and property. In order to maintain law and order, public tranquillity and to protect life and property of general public, I, Ramesh Kumar, IAS District Magistrate Jammu, in exercise of powers vested in me under section 144 Criminal Procedure Code hereby impose curfew in the area of whole Jammu city,” said the district magistrate in an order.
Reports and witnesses said that mobs torched and damaged dozens of vehicles during the violent protests which broke out Friday morning in Gujjar Nagar and Prem Nagar areas amid a shutdown called by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bar Association Jammu had supported the strike call issued against the killing of 49 CRPF troopers in a major attack in Lethpora area of Awantipora in south Kashmir.
An eye witness said that motorcycle-borne youth carrying Indian tricolour pelted stones on the vehicles and residential houses, and also set dozens of vehicles ablaze in Prem Nagar locality.
He said that a mob gathered in the area despite the authorities announcing curfew in the area.
An official said that a large contingent of the forces has been deployed in the area to control the situation.
The trouble erupted when a group of people belonging to various organisations including Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, and VHP took out a procession carrying tricolour through Gujjar Nagar, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, The Indian Express reported.
Quoting the locals, the report said the violent mob without any provocation started torching vehicles parked outside Jogi gate cremation ground.
Mobile Internet services have been suspended in Jammu as a precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation, said an official.
According to officials, there was complete bandh in Jammu city and there was no traffic on roads and all shops and markets were closed.
Jammu city was rocked by massive anti-Pakistan protests with people taking to the to streets in dozens of places, including Jewel Chowk, Purani Mundi, Rehari, Shaktinagar, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Gandhinagar and Bakshinagar.