File photo of security forces in Jammu
The Jammu and Kashmir government has agreed to all demands of the Sikh community, even as parts of Jammu remain under curfew with section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) imposed in the city, which prohibits the assembling of a large group of people.
Sikhs have been protesting for the last three days over the removal of posters of Sikh separatist leader Jarnail Bhindrawale, ahead of his death anniversary today.
One person was killed and 40 others were injured on Thursday after clashes between Sikh protesters and the police in different parts of the city. All schools and colleges remain closed, broadband internet has been restored, but mobile internet is still blocked.
Sikh community leaders met with senior officials on Friday evening, after which the government has agreed to the transfer of a senior superintendent of police, Uttam Chand, suspension of station house officer (SHO), Satwari Kulbir Singh, payment of compensation and a government job to the next kin of the Sikh youth Jagjit Singh, killed during the clashes.
There were demonstrations in Srinagar, Tral and Baramulla, protestors also blocked the Jammu-Pathankot highway on Friday.
Police have registered a First Information Report or FIR under section 302 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) , for murder, against a security guard of the Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu in Satwari police station, the guard allegedly fired at the mob that led to the death of youth.
Bhinderwala's death anniversary is observed every year in Jammu which has a sizeable Sikh population, but protests have resulted in political blame game.
"Some of the local congress local leaders are trying to violate the curfew, they are trying to violate 144 by going to the trouble spot, but police prevented them," said Nirmal Singh Deputy Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir
"BJP and administration have not been able to restore the law and order yet, so there is frustration," countered Rashid Choudhary, Spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir Congress.
Though the government is confident that the situation will normalize soon, what is worrisome is that politics seems to be taking over the issue rather than focusing on resolving the crisis.