NEWS

J&K: 14 injured in grenade attack

By Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar
July 02, 2008

Curfew was imposed in Samba district and Bhaderwah town in hilly Doda district following spread of protests against the cancellation of the forest land allotment order by the state government.

Jammu city continued to be under an indefinite curfew since Tuesday night following fierce clashes between the protestors and the police, resulting in injuries to 90 persons.

Bhaderwah happens to be the home town of the state chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Talking to rediff.com deputy commissioner Doda, Khursheed Ahmad Bhat said the curfew in the town was imposed as a precautionary measure.

Sources said 14 persons were injured when militants tossed a grenade at a rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bhaderwah town on Wednesday afternoon.

"Three critically injured persons have been airlifted to Jammu for treatment," Bhat said.

"Police has launched an investigation and those involved in the attack would be identified and arrested.We have deployed paramilitary central reserve police force and alerted the army in the town. The situation is tense but under control," Bhat said.

Army staged a flag march to enforce curfew in the Samba town of Jammu region this afternoon following communal tension and protests.

Deputy commissioner Samba, S Bhagat said that army was deployed to instill confidence in the minority community following spread of trouble to the district from neighbouring Jammu.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic from either side following trouble in the Udhampur district this morning after protestors pelted stones on passing vehicles.

The BJP has called for a nation wide strike on Thursday against the cancellation of the land allotment order, which may further add to the prevailing tension.

Police and paramilitary forces are on maximum alert to prevent trouble from spreading to more areas in the region.

Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email