*Bandh observed in Rajouri, Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 11: Curfew continued in parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts while restrictions were lifted in Ramban and complete normalcy prevailed in three districts following Thursday night’s trouble after provocative speeches and Social Media posts. A peaceful bandh was observed in Rajouri and Poonch districts on the call of various religious organizations to protest the remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.
No untoward incident was reported from any of the five districts during the day today, police officials told the Excelsior.
Markets reopen and traffic plied normally in Ramban district today. However, Internet services remained suspended in the district along with Doda and Kishtwar.
Even as efforts were intensified to defuse communal tension, prominent citizens from both the communities requested the Government to take strict action against “mischievous elements” bent on disturbing peace.
Tension had mounted in Bhaderwah township of Doda district and some areas of nearby Kishtwar and Ramban districts, prompting the authorities to impose curfew and restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC late Thursday evening.
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A curfew was subsequently clamped in Bhaderwah and some other parts of Doda district along with Kishtwar town as a precautionary measure, the officials said.
They said students appearing in the bi-annual Class 12 final examinations were allowed through the curfew-bound areas on furnishing their admit cards.
A women personnel contingent was also deployed in Bhaderwah town, the officials said, adding that efforts were intensified to defuse the tension by encouraging meetings between senior citizens of the two communities.
One such meeting was held in Bhaderwah town under the chairmanship of District Development Council (DDC) chairman D S Kotwal, in which members of the Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha and representatives of the Sarafa Jamia Masjid Committee participated and assured full cooperation to the administration in dealing with mischievous elements.
“The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, and the participants unanimously requested for stern action against mischievous elements bent upon disturbing peace,” Jamia Masjid Committee president Imtiaz-ur-Rehman Bhat said.
Deputy president of Dharam Sabha Manoj Kotwal said some elements were misusing social media to creat a wedge between the two communities and this needs to be dealt with “iron hands”.
“There are some elements who want disturbance. They should be identified and thrown in prison. We were looking forward for a good tourism season after three long years but all the efforts to revive tourism suffered a setback,” he said.
Reports from the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in spoke of a peaceful shutdown as part of a protest against the recent remarks by the suspended BJP leader.
The shutdown call was sounded by a body of Muslim preachers and supported by president of Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Mendhar, Balram Sharma.
Meanwhile, advising people to avoid “irresponsible comments” on social media, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said strict action as per law will be taken against the people who stoke communal tension.
Kumar also said efforts are on to restore complete peace in parts of erstwhile Doda district with the cooperation of the public.
Kumar, along with Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Mukesh Singh, visited the curfew-bound areas of Doda and Kishtwar for the second day in running to take stock of the situation.
He said police have registered FIRs based on various complaints and the identification process of the accused is on. “Strict action as per law will be taken against all those involved (in creating communal tension).”
Urging the people to maintain communal harmony, he advised them to avoid “irresponsible comments” on social media.
Kumar said the situation in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts is fully under control.
“There was no major stone pelting incident reported from anywhere. We are holding talks with representatives of the people and are hopeful of restoration of normalcy within the shortest possible time,” he said.
The Additional Director General of Police said they had talks with public representatives who made certain suggestions to bring back normalcy.
“We will have complete normalcy within a day or two with cooperation of the public,” Singh said, adding directions have already been passed to allow patients reach hospitals and students appear in board examinations. Medical shops are also functioning normally, he said.
Meanwhile, a peaceful bandh was observed in various areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in protest against the remarks of the suspended BJP leader.
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