One killed in Jammu police firing; curfew clamped on parts of city

Jammu: Indefinite curfew has been clamped on parts of Jammu following the killing of a Sikh youth in police firing. Police and CRPF reinforcements have been rushed in as clashes between groups of irate Sikh youth and police have spread to several areas in Satwari belt on the outskirts of the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir during past two days.

The clashes were triggered by removing of a ‘provocative’ flex hoarding with a life-size photograph of Khalistan champion Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale ahead of his death anniversary on June 6 by police.

Police had also removed posters about a programme organised in Sikh-dominated Rani Bagh area to commemorate the anniversary. But soon groups of angry Sikhs, mainly youth, took to the streets on Wednesday, attacking policemen with sticks and kirpans. They also blocked road at Rani Bagh near Gadigarh in protest.

During the clashes, In-charge Gadigarh Police Post Sub Inspector Arun Sharma was stabbed by one of the agitating youth, causing him serious injuries. In the stone pelting, SHO Satwari Inspector Kulbir Singh Choudhary and two other policemen were also injured, reports said.

Though the situation was soon brought under control and uneasy calm prevailed in the area, the Sikh community while accusing the police of removing posters of the proposed programme that had appeared in the area afresh earlier during the day on Thursday. They also accused police and other law enforcing authorities of inflicting atrocities on protesting residents.

With that groups of slogan chanting Sikh youth again took to the streets on Thursday, triggering fresh clashes. Officials said that police had to open fire to quell a violent mob which attacked them with kirpans and lathis at Gadigarh, eight km from Jammu city centre, killing one person, Jagjeet Singh.

A report said that four others were injured in the shooting. In fresh clashes over a dozen people including several policemen were also injured, reports said.