Rajouri tense as deadlock over cremation persists

The border town of Rajouri remained tense on Friday even as curfew was relaxed for two hours.

Though the situation was under control, the administration could not break the deadlock over the cremation of eight civilians killed by militants at Sawari village on Tuesday night.

The funeral was stalled by the villagers, demanding transfer of district officials, imposition of Disturbed Area Act in Rajouri and adequate compensation to victims's families. The bodies were lying at Jawaharnagar.

Talks with the inspector general of police and the divisional commissioner failed on Thursday night, and the protestors say Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah should visit Rajouri.

Meanwhile, a strike was observed on Friday in Jammu following a call given by the Bharatiya Janata Party in protest against the killings.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in the town. Vehicular traffic was thin. Commuters had a tough time with public conveyance terminating on the city's outskirts. Government offices and banks were open but attendance was lean.