Jammu bandh extended; some violence reported

Jammu, Aug 2

Jammu's shutdown has been extended by three days, organisers of the bandh said even as reports of sporadic violence from parts of the city were reported on the third day of total shutdown to demand an AIIMS in the city on Sunday. A Congress leader was detained for a few hours during protests on Sunday. 

Instances of stone pelting were reported in some parts of the city such as Purani Mandi, forcing police to resort to gas shelling.

Police resorted to minor tear gas shelling to disperse the stone-pelting youth.

"The situation was brought under control," a police officer said, adding no injuries were reported.

The bandh, called by AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) — a group of some 70 organisations, began on Friday.

Business establishments, market places and shop remained closed while public transport remained off roads.

Protesters blocked the highway and city roads.

State Congress unit's senior vice-president Sham Lal Sharma and 16 party activists were arrested after he defied orders banning assembly and began to march from Bakshinagar.

As news of the leader’s arrest spread, several Congress leaders, including former Minister Raman Bhalla, rushed to Bakshinagar police station to demand Sharma’s release.

Meanwhile, BJP Minister Chander Prakash Ganga’s cavalcade was halted at Tawi Bridge and surrounded by a large number of protesters, making it difficult for him to move until security personnel came to his rescue. — PTI