There seems to be no end to protests in Jammu and Kashmir after agitators began a fresh campaign against the government in Muslim-dominated areas of Jammu on Friday.
People in Doda, Jammu, gathered after Friday prayers to protest against the killings in the Valley. The protests turned violent as protestors pelted stones at the police, which clashed with the group to disperse them. Many police officials were injured in the protests. Some protestors carried out a march from the local mosque to the Jamia Masjid in Doda. A call for three-day shutdown was made.
"Nothing much has happened. Everything is fine. Situation is under control," Zahid Manhas, superintendent of police, Doda, told DNA.
Meanwhile, all telecom services except that of BSNL were suspended in certain parts of the Valley. Curfew was also re-imposed in Srinagar and towns of Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Baramulla and Sopore on Friday. Despite the curfew, people came out on the streets to slogan for Azadi (separation from India). Stone pelting against security forces took place in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Sopore, Kupwara and Bandipora.
"Miscreants assembled on the road and pelted stones on security forces at Arhama in Ganderbal disrict. While tackling the situation six persons were injured. About 300-400 miscreants assembled on the road and pelted stones at police and security forces at Dooru Tangmarg. Two persons were injured, one of whom was shifted to Srinagar," a police spokesman told DNA.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that "the government is ready to address 'grievances' of all sections of people in Jammu and Kashmir as per the Constitution. But there cannot be any compromise with the nation's integrity" at the all-party meeting.
"Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a part of Jammu and Kashmir. India will fight terrorism with full might and commitment, PM said. The government's efforts include reaching out to the civil society and speeding up measures to integrate Kashmir's youth with the state's economic activities," Modi said.
Blaming cross-border terrorism for the unrest, he said that the Centre and State government are dedicated to restoring peace in the state.
