Violence during Jammu bandh, Oppn targets BJP

Clashes broke out between activists of BJP and AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC), which has called for the bandh to press for setting up the premier health institution in Jammu, forcing police to canecharge and use tear gas shells to disperse them.

Rejecting the Centre’s announcement of “AIIMS-like facilities” in the region, activists of ACC took out an anti-government rally in the city demanding a full-fledged AIIMS as has been proposed for Kashmir.

As the slogan-shouting protesters reached Kachi Chawani belt near BJP headquarters, party activists came out and raised counter slogans. The confrontation soon turned violent with the two sides pelting stone.

“There were clashes between BJP activists and protesters at Kachi Chawani area here. The situation has brought under control. There was minor cane charge. No one was injured,” Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Rajiv Pandey said. “The situation is under control. There have been some rallies. At some places tyres have been burnt by protesters,” he said.

Protesters broke window panes of some vehicles on Akhnoor-Canal road and highway. They blocked the highway at Digiana in the city by burning tyres and squatted on the road for two hours.