Violent Protests In Jammu Over Pulwama Attack, Curfew On, Army On Standby

A curfew was imposed in parts of Jammu city on Friday after mobs attacked some people and burnt vehicles following the terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 40 security personnel were killed. 

Over a dozen people have been injured in mob attacks, sources said. 

Two army columns have been sent to stage flag march and maintain peace, officials said. The curfew was imposed as authorities feared a communal backlash, they added.

Protesters, particularly in the old city, refused to disperse even after loudspeakers announced that curfew was imposed.

"We have imposed curfew in Jammu city as a precautionary measure," Deputy Commissioner of Jammu Ramesh Kumar told news agency PTI.

There was a complete shutdown in Jammu city, with no traffic on roads and all shops and markets closed.

Several areas of Jammu were hit by massive anti-Pakistan protests with people taking to the streets, including Jewel Chowk, Purani Mundi, Rehari, Shaktinagar, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Gandhinagar and Bakshinagar.

According to some reports, there were mob attacks in Gujjar Nagar area where several vehicles were damaged by stone-throwers. However, the police said they had managed to prevent a major clash.

Kashmiri employees at Jammu's Tourist Reception Centre have sent SOS messages to police seeking protection after mobs burnt vehicles outside TRC and pelted stones. 

Raising slogans against Pakistan and terrorists, protesters burnt tyres on roads. Demonstrators put up barricades demanding that the attacks be avenged.

Jammu and Kashmir leaders Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah condemned the violence.

Distressed to hear about miscreants in Jammu trying to take advantage of the situation by inciting tension. Guv adm should have preempted this by securing minority dominated areas. Have spoken to IG Jammu to deploy additional security.

- Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 15, 2019

It will be a travesty & against the spirit of our secular ethno-cultural values to use this terror attack as an excuse to target minorities. Hour of the need is to show compassion & come together.

- Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 15, 2019

Giving vent to anger by attacking innocent people because of their ethnicity or religion is no way to honour the sacrifices yesterday. Reports of violence & arson in #Jammu are deeply worrying. I hope political leaders & civil society are able to ensure cooler heads prevail.

- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 15, 2019

Kashmiris/Muslims in Jammu didn't attack our CRPF jawans yesterday, terrorists did. This violence is a convenient tool by some to shift the blame. Let's unite against terror let's not allow terror to divide us.

- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 15, 2019

Earlier, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) had on Thursday called for shutdown in Jammu protesting terror attack.

Protesting the Pulwama attack, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, suspended work in all the courts in Jammu, including the high court and tribunals.