Jammu continues to be tense

Srinagar: Tensions broke out in Jammu during a curfew on Friday, a day after a Sikh youth was killed in police firing. While the administration took off Internet services to prevent people from using them to organise protests, the protesters closed down several roads, including the Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-R.S. Pura highways.

“We have a tense situation at hand right now, and we are trying to negotiate it,” Deputy Commissioner Simranjeet Singh told.  “The administration has temporarily stopped access to the Internet, including through broadband connections, to prevent disturbance to peace and public order.”

Police sources said several Sikh youths had been arrested.

Tensions started on Tuesday after police tore off a poster featuring the slain Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during a



gathering in the Satwari area on the occasion of his birth anniversary. In the ensuing violence, a policeman was stabbed and his AK-47 rifle snatched.

In clashes on Thursday, Jagjit Singh (35) was killed in police firing and several were wounded.

“While there weren’t many clashes on Friday, the protesters burnt down the vehicle of a media organisation. And it is quite tense out here still,” Senior Superintendent of Police Uttam Chand said.

The authorities said they expected more tensions on Saturday, the anniversary of the siege of the Golden Temple and the death of Bhindranwale. Schools and colleges in Jammu have been closed down till Saturday and examinations have been postponed. Ban orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure have been imposed. The Army staged a flag march.