More Jammu areas come under curfew; Jaitley sent back

Curfew was imposed on six more townships in the Jammu region on Sunday and the Army staged flag marches as the administration declared violence-hit Kishtwar out of bounds for politicians, resulting in the detention of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley at the airport here. He was forced to return to Delhi.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, along with BJP leaders, was on his way to the riot-hit Kishtwar to assess the ground situation. “Jaitley was detained at Jammu airport soon after his arrival from New Delhi,” Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu said and added that he will not be allowed to visit Kishtwar in view of the sensitive situation.

Officials said curfew was enforced in Jammu and Rajouri districts on Saturday night and the Army was called in following incidents of arson and violence. The curfew was extended to Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Bhaderwah and Thatri townships on Monday morning after clashes spread in several areas.

“Curfew has been imposed on Udhampur, Kathua and Samba districts today (on Sunday) as a precautionary measure and the Army has also been deployed in the areas to assist local administration,” the Jammu Divisional Commissioner said. “The situation is tense but under control. There are no reports of any untoward incidents. The Army has staged flag marches in several areas,” he added.

Ramban and Poonch districts have remained peaceful so far. Authorities had clamped down curfew on most parts of Jammu on Saturday night following incidents of arson and clashes. Official sources said 10 shops and eight vehicles were set ablaze by a violent mob in various parts of Jammu city since Saturday evening.

Reports said though the situation on Sunday remained by and large peaceful in one part of the city, fresh incidents of clashes and arson were reported from Janipur, Subhash Nagar, Sarwal and Bantalab in Jammu city. Army personnel were deployed in most parts of the old city and outside religious places to avoid any untoward incidents. The measure was specially taken in a security review meeting held on Saturday night amid fear and tension in Muslim-dominated areas of the city. 

Sources said two Gujjar youth were also injured when they were stabbed by unidentified persons in Jammu city.

Restrictions have been imposed on assembly of people even in areas not under curfew, police said.