Protest in capital over Kishtwar curfew

Scores of people on Saturday staged a demonstration in front of Jammu and Kashmir House in Chanakyapuri area over the communal clashes in Kishtwar district of the state.

According to the police, the protest started peacefully but soon turned violent as protesters pelted stones and vandalised sign boards on the road following which police used water canon to disperse them.

‘There were around 150 demonstrators from different groups including BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and others. Initially the protest was peaceful but some anti-social elements sneaked into the demonstration and it turned violent. We used water canon to disperse them,’ said a senior police officer. A case has been registered under Sections 186, 148, 147, 353 and Section 3 of Damage to Public Property Act at the Chanakyapuri Police Station in this regard, police said.

Clashes between two communities left two people dead and at least 20 hurt, several business establishments and vehicles gutted in arson in Kishtwar district of J&K.