By News Agency of Kashmir,
Jammu : Protests continued in Jammu and other areas of the region over land transfer issue for the ninth consecutive day today.
Sources told News Agency of Kashmir that people in all big and small towns continued protests for ninth consecutive day today, while protesters in Bari-Brahamna tried to damage shops in Bari Brahamna area on the outskirts of Jammu city.
Protest rallies were taken in different areas of the Jammu and its adjoining areas today raising slogans against government. The protest rallies, torch procession were even seen late in the evening and in old city clashes between police and protesters was reported. “Protesters tried to set PDD office on fire but were foiled by the timely action of Police” sources told NAK.
Protest rallies were organized by Simiti members at Kathua, samba, Udhampur and Reasi but no untoward incident was reported so far.
Protesters late last night damaged a Kashmir owned truck on Jammu Pathankot road while two other trucks including petrol tanker was set on fire.
Police and civil authorities today visited these areas and assure full security along the Highway from Lakhanpur to Patnitop so as to ensure that no harm is done to the Kashmir bound vehicles, sources told NAK.
Jammu Muslims in a statement issued here today cautioned people not to fall in hands of elements with criminal intentions and maintain peace and communal harmony. They said that the community has already extended its support to the Simiti, so there is no question of attacking Muslim properties in Jammu region.
PDD department remained worst victim of the protests as all electronic meters installed out side the shops and houses in Jammu city and outskirts were completely damaged. PDD authorities maintained that the department is accessing the loss and will report to the government.
Meanwhile some protesters have reportedly attacked on media persons in some areas but leaders of all parties have assured full cooperation.
Reports reaching here revealed that protestors comprising around fifty persons appeared in the main Chowk of Bari Brahamna this morning and shouted anti-government slogans.
The protestors later allegedly tried to target some shops in Teli Basti areas and damaged some of the articles.
One of the eyewitnesses told News Agency of Kashmir that shops of Nazir Ahmed Malik, Foji Malik, Sadeeq Ahmed Malik, Lateef Malik and Muhammad Din were allegedly damaged by the protestors, while matador of Imtiyaz Khan reportedly attacked by a mob.
Later senior police officers visited the spot to take stock of the situation. The situation was claimed to be tense in the area till the last report came in.
However, police deny the reports and said that the protesters were pressing for closure of the shops and the articles placed out-side were shattered. “no shop has been looted or damaged but the mob forced the closure of the shops which according to reports was objected by the shopkeepers” a local resident claimed.