Pulwama terror attack: Protests erupted in Jammu over the terror strike.
Highlights
- Over a dozen people injured in mob attacks in Jammu, sources said
- Curfew imposed after authorities feared a communal backlash, they said
- High Court Bar Association in Jammu suspended work in all courts
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.
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.