Srinagar: At least 12 people were injured and dozens of vehicles torched in mob violence in Jammu after protests against the Pulwama attack turned violent.
The administration has requested the Army to help maintaining law and order by conducting flag marches.
Curfew was imposed as authorities feared a communal backlash, officials said.
Trouble erupted when a group of people belonging to various right wing organisations including Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, and VHP took out a procession carrying tricolours through Gujjar Nagar, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, reported the Indian Express.
Despite a Bandh and announcement of curfew, Jammu city was rocked by massive anti-Pakistan protests with people taking to the to streets in dozens of places, including Jewel Chowk, Purani Mundi, Rehari, Shaktinagar, Pacca Danga, Janipur, Gandhinagar and Bakshinagar.
Reports and witnesses said that mobs torched and damaged dozens of vehicles during the violent protests which broke out today morning in Gujjar Nagar and Prem Nagar areas amid a shutdown called by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Bandh call was supported by the Bar Association of Jammu as well as the National Conference.
Earlier, Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference had appealed Rajnath Singh take ‘special care of areas where Kashmiris as residing or studying.’
In a tweet, he had said that ‘they (Kashmiris) are soft targets in a surcharged atmosphere.’
Reacting over the violence in Jammu, Omar in another tweet said:
It should never have been allowed to reach this point. Preemptive measures should have been taken this morning knowing that it is Friday & congregations would assemble for prayers. I hope the situation is now defused without further loss.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 15, 2019
