DC, two cops injured in stone-throwing

Tribune News Service|
Jammu, August 8

Tension prevailed in Kargil town on Thursday when protesters defied the prohibitory orders and took out a protest rally to express their anger against the Centre’s decisions to grant the Union Territory (UT) status to Ladakh and scrapping of the state’s special status.

According to official sources, the District Magistrate (DM) Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary and two policemen were also injured in the stone pelting incident near Jamia Masjid Kargil.

The police resorted to cane charge and fired several teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Around 20 protestors, including former MLA Zanskar Ghulam Raza, Congress councillor Zakir Hussain, scores of political activists and youth leaders were taken into preventive custody. They were, however, later freed in the evening.

The call for the shutdown had been given by the All Parties Action Committee (APAC) Kargil in favour of its demand for immediate restoration of Article 370, 35-A and abolishing of the J&K Reorganisation Bill-2019 passed by Parliament.

On the third successive day today, a complete shutdown was observed in Kargil town where all educational institutions, government offices, business establishments, shops and private offices remained closed.

Yesterday, the DM, Kargil, had ordered the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC in Kargil, Drass and Sankoo tehsils following reports of “apprehended danger to maintenance of peace and tranquility”. The administration claimed that the Section 144 of the CrPC had been lifted from Kargil town and the situation was normal.

“The overall situation remained normal and peaceful. We lifted all restrictions from 6.30 pm today and markets are open now,” the DM told The Tribune.

Nasir Munish, general secretary of the APAC said, “Complete shutdown has been observed in Kargil and the people have overwhelmingly supported the cause. The administration imposed restrictions to stop the people from registering their protest but they failed in it. Our protest will continue and Kargil will continue to witness shutdown till our demands are met.”

Earlier, hundreds of protesters, while defying the restrictions, assembled near Jamia Masjid and proceeded towards Lal Chowk where security personnel tried to stop them. However, they managed to break the barricading, but had a scuffle with security personnel near Khomani Chowk where they were cane-charged and teargas shells were used.

Later, the DM had a meeting with the protestors at Jamia Masjid that defused tension in the area.

Govt asks employees to report back for duty 

• After four days of the restrictions and the clampdown on communication network in Jammu and Kashmir, the government on Thursday directed all employees to resume their duties
•  The order that was issued late on Thursday evening also ensured “safe working environment” for the employees working at the district, divisional levels in Jammu region and the Valley and at the Secretariat in Srinagar