Curfew imposed after protests break in Rajouri over burning of IS flag

Curfew was imposed in the frontier Rajouri town of Jammu region and the army staged a flag march following clashes on Tuesday.

The clashes were triggered by burning of an Islamic State flag in the town by the activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Sunday.

A senior district officer said situation in the town was tense but 'under control’.

He said groups of youth took to streets in the town protesting against the burning of the flag which the protestors said carried Islamic scripture.

The protestors turned violent and indulged in heavy stone pelting on shops and passing vehicles.

The official said 15 cops were injured in the stone pelting by the protestors.

He said the leaders of the two communities had met this morning and sorted out the matter. “However, some miscreants took to streets in the town this morning and indulged in stone pelting.”

He said police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the town immediately to maintain law and order.

“We have imposed curfew and army staged a flag march to restore calm. The situation is now under control,” the officer said.

The burning of the ISIS flag came after masked youth hoisted ISIS and Pakistan flags at several places in Kashmir valley in past couple of months.

In a statement a defence spokesman this evening said, “Army was requested by the civil administration to carry out flag march to take control of the prevailing disturbed situation.”

“Army was called out and curfew imposed in Rajouri town on Tuesday afternoon as tension escalated following altercations between mob and policemen at various places over the burning of an ISIS flag. Army immediately pressed in columns. The situation was under control till last reports came in,” the statement added.

Picture for representation only.