Protest march over demolition drive sparks chaos in Jammu; three cops injured in stone-pelting

Jammu, Jun 2: A protest march in support of tribal families allegedly affected by a recent anti-encroachment drive in a forested area on the outskirts of Jammu city, spiralled into chaos as protesters purportedly resorted to stone-pelting at police, leaving three personnel injured, officials said on Monday.

Police fired in the air to disperse the stone-pelting mob, they said.

The protest is said to be linked to a May 26 anti-encroachment operation carried out by the forest department and police in the Raika Bandi forest belt in the lower Shivalik range. During the drive, more than 30 structures were demolished and nearly 60 kanals of forest land, valued at several crores, were retrieved, officials said.

A police spokesman said no permission had been taken for the protest.

A police party from Bagh-e-Bahu police station, along with personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and armed police, were deployed at Bandi Ragoora area to maintain law and order.

“Despite repeated warnings and persuasion not to carry out such a protest without proper permission, as the same was likely to create a law and order problem, Talib Hussain and his associates began stone-pelting with an intention to cause injuries, obstruct police in the discharge of their duties and disrupt law and order,” the spokesman said.

He said the protesters also delivered provocative speeches during the protest.

Three police personnel, including a woman deputy superintendent of police, sustained injuries in the stone-pelting, officials said.

Police detained several persons, including Hussain. Officials said police also fired few shots in the air to disperse the protesters.

An FIR has been registered at Bagh-e-Bahu police station in this connection and further investigation is underway, the spokesman said.

According to locals, several activists, including Hussain, reached the demolition site on Monday morning and urged affected families to join a march to Srinagar to raise their grievances with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

However, local tribal residents distanced themselves from the proposed march, claiming that a large number of outsiders had arrived in vehicles to organise the protest.

Police informed the protesters that they did not have permission to undertake the march as the proposal had reportedly been rejected by the divisional commissioner, locals said.

Despite repeated requests by police, activists allegedly attempted to proceed. Tension escalated when police detained some activists, following which their supporters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel.

Several local residents criticised the organisers of the protest, accusing them of trying to politicise the issue.

“We have nothing to do with this march. We are struggling to support our families after the demolition. We are waiting for the outcome of the inquiries being conducted by the forest and tribal affairs departments,” a local woman affected by the demolition exercise said.

Locals also praised the police for exercising restraint during the incident despite being targeted with stones, and alleged that none of the affected families participated in the violence.

Speaking to reporters, Hussain asserted that the proposed march to Srinagar would continue irrespective of official permission.

“Whether the government gives permission or not, we will march to Srinagar. The Constitution has given us that right,” he said.

During a heated exchange with police personnel, Hussain questioned the requirement of permission and said, “If we do not get permission, then arrest me.” (PTI)