JAMMU: A Sikh youth got killed while Jammu SSP and a Sub Inspector among 12 policemen and civilians received injuries in fresh clashes that erupted Thursday afternoon when a group of protesters made attempt to install a hoarding of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at Rani Bagh.
As situation became tense, the authorities imposed curfew from Gaddi Garh to Kulian area while Section 144, which bars gathering of more than four persons at any place, was imposed in Jammu district.
Some youth, who attacked police were also taken into custody, police officials said.
Jammu SSP Uttam Chand, Sub-Inspector Ashok Bajaj posted in DPL, SPO Manmeet Singh received injuries in the stone pelting on Thursday.
In a late night development, Constable Joginder Pal son of Tarsem Lal (Belt No 2101/J) who is posted as PSO of SDPO East Rafeeq Manhas was intercepted by some miscreants near Digiana Ashram around 9.15 pm and was stabbed on the hand. The miscreants also snatched his service rifle AK-47. The injured constable was bought to Jammu Medical Collge where he is undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile a meeting was called by Deputy Commissioner late in the night in which prominent Sikh leaders also took part. The meeting was called to defuse the situation arising out of the developments in the day.
Earlier, besides blocking the Satwari-R S Pura road, the protesters burnt tyres and raised slogans of Khalistan Zindabad. When police resisted, the situation took an ugly turn as the protesters started pelting stones on the police party injuring a Sub-Inspector seriously.
Police lobbed tear gas shells and opened fire to disperse the mob.
Protesters also lobbed petrol bombs on police force that had cordoned the entire area.
Jammu SSP Uttam Chand personally supervised the situation as police maintained restraint of high level in tackling the situation as over a hundred petrol bombs were lobbed on police force.
Trouble started when hundreds of Sikh youth, armed with sticks and ‘kirpans’, converged on Ranibagh-Gadigarh belt on Satwari-R S Pura road and blocked traffic in protest against the removal of Bhindranwale’s posters.
On Thursday morning, shouting slogans against police and government, some of the protesters tried to block Jammu-Pathankot highway at Satwari.
Heavy contingent of police was rushed to the spot which asked the protesters to remove the blockade and allow traffic but Sikh youth pelted stones at police, triggering clashes.
This is for the first time that posters of the slain Sikh militant leader had come up in Jammu.
The deceased youth has been identified as Jagjeet Singh, son of Narvir Singh, resident of Chohalla. Two injured youth are undergoing treatment at GMC hospital.
The injured include Avneet Singh, son of Gurdev Singh resident of Chatha Pind, Inderjeet Singh, son of Bhupinder Singh, resident of Dashmesh Nagar Digiana, Gurdev Singh, son of Bhupinder Singh, resident of Simble, Om Parkash, son of Sat Pal, resident of Miran Sahib, SPO Manmeet Singh, son of Bajhan Singh, resident of Simbel Camp, Constable Rakesh Kumar, son of Om parkash resident of Doda at present posted at DPL Jammu
Protests were also witnessed in Vijaypur, Nowshera,Poonch. In Vijaypur large number of Sikhs blocked the Jammu – Pathankot Highway for half an. The protest was held under the leadership of Bunty Singh.
In Nowshera a meeting of prominent leaders and members of Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was held under the chairmanship of President of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Rajouri, Ragubir Singh in which the participants strongly condemned the police action.
Prominent among those present in the meeting include Mohinder Singh, Ravinder Singh, Jaswant Singh, Baljit Saingh and Madan Singh, Presdent Gurdwara Yadgar Sant Baba Sunder Singh Ji Gurdwara Nonihal, Nowshra.
In Poonch, President District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Poonch Narinder Singh who headed a meeting of number of Sikh intellectuals and prominent persons of the district have decided to observe Poonch Bandh on Friday.
Meanwhile, expressing deep sorrow and anguish over the loss of a precious human life during protests by the members of the Sikh community in Jammu on Thursday, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that while it is the responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, but at the same time Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) should be strictly adhered to avoid such tragedies during public protests.
Mufti said the government headed by him has right from the beginning maintained that the police and other security forces should exercise maximum restraint while dealing with public protests to avoid causing any physical harm to civilians.
Conveying his heartfelt sympathies to the family of the deceased youth Jagjit Singh, the Chief Minister prayed for peace to the departed soul.
The Chief Minister has also expressed solidarity with the policemen injured in the incident and prayed for their early recovery.
The Chief Minister appealed to all sections of the society to maintain calm and avoid indulging in any provocative actions, aimed at disturbing peace and tranquility in the region.
He appealed to general public to remain vigilant and defeat the designs of elements who are trying to fuel violence and communal tension.
He said the government would take all possible measures to ensure that peace is maintained in Jammu region.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh appealed to the public to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the State and not to fall prey to the nefarious designs of some antinational and mischievous elements in the Society
Meanwhile, Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch appealed people for maintaining peace, brotherhood and communal harmony.
Meanwhile, NC Youth Provincial President Surinder Singh Bunty (Advocate) condemned the police firing on Sikh protesters in which one youth lost his life.
Gurdeep Singh Sasan, chief patron J&K Sikh Societies amalgamate has appealed to the general public to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the State and said that India is a secular country so everyone is equal.