Jammu: Curfew was imposed in Jammu city on Friday and the Army conducted flag marches in sensitive areas following massive protests and incidents of stone-pelting and arson over the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, officials said.
Internet was shutdown in Jammu as a precautionary measure, they said.
Defying curfew, angry people took out rallies against the attack and police had to cane charge to disperse the protestors at Residency Road, Kachi Chawani and Dogra hall areas, while a bandh was observed in the city.
Five vehicles were set afire in Gujjar Nagar area, while several others were overturned by protesters who alleged that there was stone-pelting on them from rooftops when they were taking out marches against the attack, they said.
The curfew was imposed in Jammu city as authorities feared a communal backlash, the officials said.
Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Verma told PTI that the administration had called for the Army’s help which conducted flag marches in Gujjar Nagar, Shaheedi Chowk areas.
Verma said additional forces were deployed in sensitive areas.
As per reports, the violence was triggered when a rally was being held in Gujjar Nagar area and some people threw bricks on the protesters from rooftops. Purported videos of stone-pelting from the rooftops and burning of vehicles went viral on social media.
Police teams rushed to the spot and resorted to teargas shelling and cane charges. (PTI)
