Jammu tense as protestors defy prohibitory orders; cop stabbed

Situation in Jammu was "tense" on Friday as Sikh youth defied prohibitory orders and held protests in various areas as part of a three-day old agitation which is spreading and saw one more policeman being stabbed and his AK rifle taken away.

Protests were also held in Kashmir besides Poonch, Rajouri and other parts of Jammu region over the death of a youth in clashes that erupted in Jammu on Thursday after hundreds of Sikhs blocked road and pelted stones at cops over removal of posters of  leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Defying prohibitory orders, Sikh youth took to streets for the third day as protests spread over various areas in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri districts.

In Jammu, protests were held in various areas like Digiana, Gangyal, Canal, Tallab Tilloo, Rehari, Bakshinagar, Narwal and Gole Gujral areas. Groups of protestors blocked the Jammu-Pathakote highway and burnt tyres.

Streets of Jammu wore a deserted look and business establishments remained closed. Mobile and internet services were also suspended in Jammu. Schools and colleges in several districts of the region were closed.

Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas of Jammu city where the situation is described by authorities as "tense but under control".

The army late on Thursday night staged a flag march in parts of Jammu following violent clashes.

Authorities had clamped Section 144 of CrPC, which bars gathering of more than four persons at a place, in the entire Jammu district and curfew like situation prevailed in violence-hit areas of Satwari-Ranibagh-Gadigarh-R S Pura belt and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, some miscreants among the protestors stabbed a policeman and fled with his AK rifle in Gangyal area of Jammu city late on Thursday night, sub divisional police officer, Jammu East Mohmmad Rafiq said.

The constable Joginder Pal, who is the personal security officer of the deputy superintendent of police (Jammu East) Mohammad Rafiq, was shifted to the GMC hospital, where his condition has improved, the police officer said. "We have recovered the AK-rifle from some people this afternoon and a case has been registered. The arrest will also take place," SDPO said.