As tensions rose with fresh communal violence incidents, curfew was extended to several more towns of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, including Jammu, its winter capital. The Army called out to help the police and CRPF enforce curfew restrictions overnight. This, however, failed to deter miscreants from repeated attempts to enter areas with a sizeable population of a particular community.
Clashes between irate crowds, mainly of young people, and the security forces later erupted in some parts of Jammu. The crowds protesting against Friday’s violent incidents in Kishtwar, that left two persons (a Hindu and a Muslim) dead, torched used car tyres in the middle of roads and hurled stones at policemen.
Curfew was also clamped in Rajouri, Bhaderwah, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi towns; and it was in force for the third consecutive day in Kishtwar.
Late Saturday night, mobs targeted properties and two places of worship of Muslims in Jammu’s New Plot and Janipore areas, and in the border town of Rajouri. The police and the CRPF quickly swung into action, and prevented the trouble from spreading.
J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah rushed to Jammu from Srinagar on Sunday afternoon to take stock of the situation, and was briefed by senior officials at a high-level meeting. Official sources said the