Jammu, September 25
About 30 persons were injured as the celebrations of Indian victory over Pakistan in the World Cup cricket took an ugly turn of communal clashes here and in Rajouri and Reasi towns. The clashes started last night and were followed by protests today. Three policemen were among the injured.
The police had to fire into the air, tear- gas and lathicharge to disperse the clashing groups in Rajouri where Army was called out this afternoon as communal tension prevailed. Troops held a flag march in the town. The CRPF and para-military forces have also been deployed to maintain peace.
The clashes started when youths of one community set off crackers to celebrate victory of India in the cricket match. Some members of the other community retaliated by hurling stones on them.
Complete bandh was observed today in the towns of Rajouri, Naushera, Sunderbani and Kalakote to protest against these incidents.
Boys of a particular community annoyed over the detonating of crackers allegedly thrashed some students in the hostel of the polytechnic here. This was followed by widespread protests here today by the student community.
The police used mild lathi charge in the polytechnic complex as the students became restive and demanded arrest of those who indulged in hooliganism. Students blocked the Railway station road outside the University of Jammu to protest against the arrest of certain ABVP activists who were demanding action against those involved in last night’s violence.
Tension also mounted in Reasi where a group of youths clashed with those who were celebrating victory of the Indian team. However, the district authorities handled the situation tactfully and prevented it from worsening.
A rally of over 1000 people was taken out by the VHP, the Bajrang Dal,the RSS and the BJP in Rajouri city to protest against the incident and alleged high- handedness of the police.
Trouble started on Monday night when some persons belonging to a community threw stones on a group of people setting off crackers to celebrate India's victory over Pakistan in the cricket match.
In the subsequent clashes and stone-throwing, 23 persons, including SHO of the police station in Rajouri, were injured. As the police tried to stop the procession, protesters broke the cordon and continued with the rally. The police used tear gas and batons to disperse them. An irate mob threw stones in the main chowk area and clashed with thepolice, which later fired several rounds into the air to disperse them. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Rajouri and several persons arrested in connection with the violence.
Officials described the situation as tense but under control.
