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2 killed in Jammu police firing

Jammu: Two persons were killed and 40, including 20 policemen, injured in continuing violence in Samba town on Monday. Police opened fire to quell the protests against the order cancelling allotment of land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

Protesters took to the streets around 2.30 p.m. and the police told them to disperse as curfew was in force. As the crowd became restive, police were forced to open fire, DIG of Jammu-Kathua-Samba, Abdul Qayoom, told The Hindu.

The dead were identified as Sanjeev Sambyal (27), a businessman, and Sunny Padha (20). Kapil Sambyal, a cousin of Sanjeev Sambyal and an eyewitness to the events, said the two were volunteers with the Sangharsh Samiti.

Rajouri, Bhaderwah, Samba and Udhampur too continue to be under curfew. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was imposed in Doda, which imposed restrictions on congregation of more than four persons.

Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak has joined the agitation. So too did doctors, nurses and other medical staff of the Government Medical College. They were on casual leave but would provide emergency services, they said.

A day after the crackdown by the administration, the authorities allowed the cable services to resume operations.

The Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti has extended its bandh for another five days.

Ram Sahai, chairman of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce, announced his support to the agitation. Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh said he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike.

Special Correspondent writes from Srinagar:

One person was killed and 15 people were injured at Maisuma here on Monday as the police used tear smoke shells to disperse a procession protesting against the “economic blockade” in Jammu. The valley observed a complete shutdown. Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani was put under house arrest, while JKLF chairman Yasin Malik said he would go on a “fast unto death” on Tuesday.

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