Curfew lifted in violence-hit areas in Jammu; Army deployed

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 6

Curfew has been lifted from violence-hit areas under Satwari and Miran Sahib police stations of Jammu after Sikh organisations and administration reached an agreement over transferring the Jammu SSP and suspension of SHO, Satwari police station, late Friday night.

However, Section 144 continues to remain in force in Jammu district as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the Army was deployed today in various parts of the tense Jammu as the Sikh youth killed in clashes with the police was cremated after the state government accepted most of the demands of the agitating community, including magisterial probe and transfer of district police chief.

Army carried out a ‘Flag March’ in the disturbed areas of Jammu, including Miran Sahib, Satwari, Digiana, RS Pura, Talab Tillo, Bakshi Nagar and Rehari this morning as security was stepped up in view of the 31st death anniversary of Khalistani militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Quick reactions teams (QRTs) of police were also deployed in view of the prevailing tension arising out of four-day protest by the Sikh community members over removal of Bhindranwale’s posters which had come up in some localities.

“The situation in Jammu is peaceful but tense. There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere today.

Elaborate security measures have been taken in view of the sensitive situation,” a senior police officer said.

Defence PRO Lt Col Manish Mehta said two columns of Army were deployed in the city after requisition from the civil administration.

One column moved onto the streets and roads of Miran Sahib to conduct a ‘Flag March’ to caution rioters and violent protesters, he said, adding that soon after, one more column of troops was sent to control the situation in RS Pura.

“Situation is tense, however, under control,” Mehta said.

Meanwhile, the Sikh youth killed during clashes was cremated today after the state government accepted most of the demands of the agitating community.

Jagjeet Singh, who was killed in police firing on Thursday, was cremated at his village, Chwala in RS Pura, 30 km from Jammu. Thousands of people from nearby areas participated in the cremation.

“The cremation has taken place peacefully at Chohala hamlet in RS Pura tehsil this afternoon. There were no protests,” a police officer said today.

The government ordered magisterial probe into firing incident and violence. It would be conducted by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal.

Accepting another demand, the government ordered transfer of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, Uttam Chand, suspension of Satwari’s Station House Officer (SHO) Kulbir Singh and payment of ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and a government job to the next kin of the slain sikh youth Jagjit Singh.

A case under murder charges was also registered against SSP’s PSO.

“An FIR under Section 302 RPC (murder) has been lodged (in Police Station Satwari) against the PSO of SSP Uttam Chand for firing (during violent protests in which one youth was killed Gadigarh area of city yesterday)”, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Simrandeep Singh said.

The PSO of the SSP had opened fire in “self-defence” during an attack by angry protesters at Gadigarh in Satwari belt of Jammu city, police has said.

“The police had fired in self-defence in which there was one casualty. The entire incident would be looked into and action would to taken against those involved in it,” Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh had said.

He said there was peaceful environment in Jammu and such a situation is being created by “some people”.

The government posted Ashkoor Wani as DIG, Jammu, gave charge of SSP, Jammu, to Additional SP Rajiv Panday and posted Manjeet Singh as new Station House Officer (SHO) Satwari Police Station.

“The four-hour-long talks late in the night with the administration were successful since all the demands of the community were met,” Sikh leader Tarlochan Singh Wazir told reporters here.

The government side was represented by state Home Secretary R K Goyal, Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal and other senior civil and police officials.

Streets of Jammu wore a deserted look and business establishments remained closed for third consecutive day today. Educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajauri and Poonch districts also remained shut for the second consecutive day.

The mobile and internet services were also suspended in Jammu for the second day.

Apart from the Army, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas.

Authorities had clamped Section 144 of CrPC, which bars gathering of more than four persons at a place, in the entire Jammu district two days back and curfew like situation prevailed in violence-hit areas of Satwari-Ranibagh-Gadigarh-R S Pura belt and elsewhere. —  WIith PTI inputs