Protests in Jammu over twin strikes

Several political, social and religious organisations today held demonstrations and rallies in protest against the twin attacks by militants in which ten people, including an army officer, were killed.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party held a demonstration against yesterday's attack and raised slogans against Pakistan.

Led by its president and MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the activists assembled at Press Club and burnt effigy of Pakistan. "Central government should give befitting reply to Pakistan...Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should call off his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York on Sunday," Mankotia told reporters.

JKNPP activists later tried to take out a rally from Press Club, but police arrested them and took them to District Police Lines. They were released later. BJYM activists, led by its state president Ravinder Raina, held a protest in the city, demanding stern action against Pakistan.

Another protest was led by BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi, in which the protestors burnt an effigy of Pakistan. "We demand stern action against Pakistan for this barbaric act," Sethi said.

All Party Hindu Coordination Committee also held protest and appealed to the Centre and state government to beef up security in temples of the state. State NCP also took a rally against the terror attacks in Samba and Hiranagar.

Under the leadership of former minister and NCP president Thakur Randhir Singh, the protestors raised slogans against Pakistan. They expressed support for raising border scouts from Kathua to Poonch up to Leh to provide employment to unemployed youths and ex-servicemen.

Several outfits also held demonstrations in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Bhaderwah areas of the division in protest against the attack. Terrorists had yesterday stormed a police station and then an army camp in Jammu region, killing 10 people including an army officer in twin 'fidayeen' attacks after they sneaked in from across the border.