Date:14/03/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/14/stories/2003031406311100.htm

National

'It was an IED blast'

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU MARCH 13. The blast in a passenger bus in Rajouri town of Jammu and Kashmir this morning, in which two persons were killed and 30 injured, was triggered by an improvised explosive device.

Giving details, the Inspector-General of Police, Jammu zone, P.L. Gupta, said the IED had probably been planted in the bus when it was at Darhali Bridge during the night. As the vehicle reached the bus stand, it went off and the bus caught fire. One Mushtaq Ahmed and his daughter were burnt alive. Twenty-five others were wounded of whom four were airlifted to the Jammu Medical College Hospital while the rest were being treated in Rajouri.

Soon after the incident, hundreds of residents came out in protest against the Government's failure to prevent such attacks. The mob turned violent and pelted stones at police. The SHO, Rajouri, was beaten up severely and is stated to be critical. Three police vehicles were also damaged.

As tension mounted, authorities sought the help of the Army. The IGP, Jammu, said the situation was under control.

Workers protest

Thousands of workers at the Baghliar power project today protested the sacking of 1,500 of their co-workers. As they tried to proceed forward, they were stopped by police, who resorted to a lathicharge first and then burst teargas shells to disperse them. Finally, they fired in the air. Twenty-two persons, including five policemen, were injured in clashes between workers and police.

The CPI (M) MLA and People's Democratic Forum (PDF) leader in the Assembly, M.Y. Tarigami, condemned the police action and accused the Government of siding with the management. He charged the Government with deviating and distorting the common minimum programme and hinted at withdrawing support to the Government.