NC-BJP workers clash: Minister’s PRO among 8 injured; ex-MLA’s son, brother and 5 others detained

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Eight persons including the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of a BJP Minister have been injured while son and brother of former MLA Kalakote among five workers of National Conference (NC) were detained when activists of National Conference (NC) and BJP on Tuesday clashed over the issue of creating new wards in Rajouri district.
Sources said that official machinery with BJP leaders was holding meetings regarding creation of new wards ahead of Panchayat Polls scheduled to be held in March following which the verbal duel took place between members of the BJP and NC resulting into the clash at Kalakote.
Eye witnesses said that the National Conference workers raised objections to the creation of new wards saying that the saffron party is creating new units as per its suitability.
They further added that NC also lambasted PDP-BJP Government for befooling people and misusing official machinery ahead of Panchayat Polls. The allegations led to clash in which around eight persons including a PRO of senior BJP minister in the constituency suffered injuries however timely intervention by the police prevented the situation from getting escalated.
Injured PRO of the Minister Abdul Gani Kohli, who is also MLA from the Constituency, was rushed to the Jammu hospital, they added. Some BJP members allegedly blocked the highway and demanded arrest of the NC members involved in the clash.
After more than one-hour, the traffic was restored when Yashvardhan Singh, son and Randhir Singh, younger brother of former MLA and NC leader Rashpal Singh were detained for creating trouble in the area, they added. Police is tightlipped over the matter.