Curfew continues in Jammu

JAMMU: Curfew was on Friday extended to Kathua town where protestors opposing the government's decision on revoking the land transfer order to Amarnath shrine board clashed with police.

Official sources said some Kashmiri pandit migrants took out a protest rally in Muthi area and burnt effigies of Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minsiter Gulam Nabi Azad and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Later, police intervened and dispersed the agitators.

In Kathua town, over 200 youth defied curfew restrictions and held anti-government demonstrations. Following Thurday's violence, authorities had imposed curfew late last night.

Migrants of Nagorta camp blocked the Jammu-Srinagar highway and pelted stones. Nine vehicles were damaged and police resorted to teargas shelling.

Five companies of the Rapid Action Force have been deployed in the city to deal with protestors. CRPF companies have been deployed in communally-sensitive areas of Gujjar Nagar, Khatika Talab, Narwal, Bhatindi and Janipur.

Security forces continue to guard Gujjars at many places in Samba and R S Pura belt of the Jammu region.

Police raided the houses of many political activists from various parties as a precautionary measure. Over 80 people including JKNPP MLA and former minister Yashal Pal Kundal and BJP corporator Sheela Handoo were arrested.

Curfew now continues in Jammu, Bhaderwan, Samba, Lakhanpur, Kathua, Vijaypur, Bari Brahamana and Narwal-Bhatindi towns.