Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 27: Jammu observed a peaceful bandh on the call of State Unit of BJP in protest against the twin Fidayeen attacks at Samba and Hiranagar townships yesterday in which 10 persons including an Army officer were killed.
Shops, offices and educational institutions remained closed and public transport was off the roads here in response to bandh call. However, the bandh passed off peacefully as no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.
To avert any untoward incident the Divisional authorities had ordered closure of all Government and private educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur districts for the day in view of the bandh call over yesterday’s attack. However, private cars, two wheelers and auto rickshaws were seen plying in the city and elsewhere.
The bandh call was supported by Bar Association, Jammu, Chamber of Commerce and Industries, VHP, Shiv Sena, transporters and other organizations.
In order to maintain calm and prevent any untoward incident police was deployed in the city and major towns, a police spokesman said.
The protest demonstrations were held by the activists of several political and social organizations in different parts of the city and protestors torched the Pakistani Flag and effigies of Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharief. Raising slogans against Pakistan protestors were demanding military action against Pakistan and attack on terrorist camps across the border.
BJP activists staged a protest demonstration at Kachhi Chawni against the Fidayeen attacks yesterday and killing of 10 people including Army and police personnel. The protest demonstration was led by BJP State chief Jugal Kishore Sharma. The irate Party activists shouted slogans against Pakistan and UPA Governments. They also torched the effigies of Pakistan and UPA Governments and demanded that Pakistan be taught a lesson for its misadventure.
Among others the senior BJP leaders who participated in protest included Legislative Party leader of the Party, Ashok Khajuria, National Executive Member & chief spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh, State vice presidents Col Uttam Singh, Sakina Bano, general secretaries, Kavinder Gupta and Bali Bhagat, MLA, Ch Sukhnandan, Morcha presidents, Priya Sethi , Subash Bhagat and district president, Subash Jandial who demanded stern action against Pakistan.
In protest against the Fidayeen attacks, J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu abstained from working in all the courts including High Court here and held a strong demonstration. They were raising slogans against the Pakistan sponsored terrorism and in praise of Army, police and civilians who laid their lives for the safety and security of the nation.
Over 200 lawyers took out a strong procession which started from High Court Complex Janipur here and culminated at main road Janipur. M K Bhardwaj, president, Bar Association demanded that the security forces be given free hand in weeding out terrorism form the State. He also appealed the State and Central Governments to strengthen the VDCs wherever they are existing and create more VDCs in sensitive areas. The members of Yong Lawyers Association also participated in the protest.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party held a demonstration against yesterday’s attack and raised slogans against Pakistan.
Led by its president and MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, the activists assembled at Press Club and burnt effigy of Pakistan.
“Central Government should give befitting reply to Pakistan… Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should call off his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York on Sunday,” Mankotia told reporters.
JKNPP activists later tried to take out a rally from Press Club, but police arrested them and took them to District Police Lines. They were released later.
BJYM activists, led by its State president Ravinder Raina held a protest in the city, demanding stern action against Pakistan.
Another protest was led by BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi, in which the protestors burnt an effigy of Pakistan. “We demand stern action against Pakistan for this barbaric act,” Sethi said.
BJP activists also held demonstrations at Talab Tillo, Satwari and New Plot and torched Pakistani flags in protest against yesterday Fidayeen attacks.
Complete bandh was observed in Reasi where BJP activists took out a protest rally from Chowk Chabutra to Bus Stand under the leadership of district president of the Party Ajay Nanda.
Hindustan Shiv Sena led by Dimpi Kohli and Rajan Gupta held a demonstration at Press Club and torched the Pakistani Flag in protest against the Fidayeen attacks of yesterday and involvement of Pakistan in sending armed desperados to India . Earlier Sena activist took out a rally from various markets.
Another demonstration was held by Shiv Sena Balasahib Thakeray and Dogra Front at Rani Park where besides the Pakistani flag, the effigy of Pakistani Prime Minister was also torched. The demonstration was led by president of SS and DF Ashok Gupta.
Shiv Sena activists also protested at Kud in Udhampur district and torched the Pakistani Flag.
Bajrang Dal activists also held a protest demonstration at Kachi Chawni and torched the Pakistani flag.
All Party Hindu Coordination Committee also held protest and appealed to the Centre and State Government to beef up security in temples of the State.
State NCP also took a rally against the terror attacks in Samba and Hiranagar.
Under the leadership of former Minister and NCP president Thakur Randhir Singh, the protestors raised slogans against Pakistan. They expressed support for raising border scouts from Kathua to Poonch up to Leh to provide employment to unemployed youths and ex-servicemen.
Several outfits also held demonstrations in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Bhaderwah areas of the division in protest against the attack.
Reports reaching here from Bhaderwah said that several BJP activists led by Koushal Kotwal clashed with police at Seri Bazaar in the town when the later stopped them from torching the effigy of Pakistani Government and UPA.
At Rajouri BJP activists held a protest demonstration against the Pakistan and Fidayeen attacks of yesterday.
A complete bandh was observed at Ramban, Kathua Hiranagar, Basholi, Billawar, Samba, R S Pura and Bishnah.
Reports reaching here from Udhampur said that complete bandh was observed in the town and the BJP activists led by senior Party leader and Member of its State Election Committee Pawan Gupta assembled at Dabber Chowk took out a procession towards main bazaar, squatted on National Highway and impeded the movement of Vehicular traffic for few hours.
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