February 15
As clashes erupted between two groups in Jammu, the Jammu Kashmir Police has appealed for calm and asked people to stay vigil against communal elements.
People of Jammu thronged to the streets on thursday evening as a deadly Fidayeen attack was carried out by a local Jaish operative in Lethpora, killing at least 45 paramilitary troopers.
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The Locals in Jammu also held a candle light vigil to express their solidarity with the deceased CRPF men burning pakistan flags and shouting Anti Kashmir slogans.
Eyewitnesses said that the protesters raised slogans against Kashmir Militants including Burhan Wani, Sameer Tiger and many others and raised slogans like Kashmir Ke Gadaro Ko, Goli Maaro Saalo Ko and Bharat Mai jisko Rehna hai, vande Mataram Kehna hai.
As per the latest reports available to The Kashmiriyat, two groups of people hurled stones at each other near Tawi bridge in Jammu despite the Police having announced curfew in the region.
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“The Police has been largely unable to impose curfew as thousands of people are out on the streets and have refused to maintain calm despite Police warnings,” an eyewitness told The Kashmiriyat.
He said that Police used water cannons against the protesters, however the protest was going on when this report was filed.
Politicians including the former chief Ministers have appealed the people to keep calm, Omar Abdullah tweeted, “If the security forces & the administration’s attention is shifted to dealing with communal violence in #Jammu instead of investigating yesterday’s attack & preventing further attacks who are we helping with the arson & violence?”
The fomer chief Minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti also condemning the violence said, “Distressed to hear about miscreants in Jammu trying to take advantage of the situation by inciting tension. Guv adm should have preempted this by securing minority dominated areas. Have spoken to IG Jammu to deploy additional security.”
Meanwhile the National Conference president for South Kashmir, Dr. Bashir Veeri also expressed grief over the happening in Jammu. He tweeted, “Recieved distress calls from Kashmiri stranded in some Moti mehal hotel near Gumat area of Jammu alleging that 15 vehicles have been torched so far & police men are mute spectators.”