With the situation remaining volatile in Jammu region following desecration of a famous temple in Janipur area and the video clip of a youth ‘vandalising idols’ going viral on social networking sites, the district administration remained on tenterhooks throughout Wednesday following sporadic incidents of stone pelting across vulnerable city pockets.
As situation remained tense several market places witnessed complete shutdown.
The mobile internet services suspended late Tuesday night could not be restored till late Wednesday evening. Protest demonstrations were also held across neighbouring districts of Samba, Kathua, Udhampur along the National Highway. Traffic was disrupted by protesters demanding strict action against the culprits behind desecration of temple.
Meanwhile, State Health Minister Bali Bhagat who arrived in Jammu from Srinagar initiated dialogue with representatives of angry people of the area and tried to broker a peace deal by ensuring release of 22 youth detained by the police for indulging in acts of violence and torching of public property. To cool down the tempers the State Government also ordered a thorough probe in to the entire episode leading to ‘desecration’ of a famous temple.
The senior BJP Minister also held a marathon meeting with Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pawan Kotwal, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Danish Rana and representatives from VHP, Bajrang Dal and other socio-religious organisations at PWD Guest House Jammu.
later talking to media persons, the Minister said, ”All the 22 youth arrested by police late last night during protests have been released unconditionally. Besides, the Government have also ordered a thorough probe in the case.
In another interesting twist Jagdish Thappa on wednesday denied reports claiming the mentally unstable youth had come for check up at his clinic located in the vicinity of Aap Shambhu temple at Upper Roop Nagar.
Speaking to The Pioneer over telephone Thappa maintained, "the youth involved in desecration of temple premises and identified by police as Mohammad Yasir, of Shiva, Doda had not taken any appointment from him or even registered his name in his clinic for consultations". Thappa also claimed his clinic timings start from 5.30 pm and the youth as per police record was arrested around 4.30 pm. There was no question of seeing him before 4.30 pm as i start my clinic at 5.30 pm,he clarified.
On the other hand State Police has registered FIR No. 51/2016 U/S 295 RPC and FIR No. 52/2016 U/S 435/147/148/149/341/427/336/332 RPC at P/S Janipur and investigation has been initiated to ascertain whether the accused in question is really mentally unstable or not.
In Srinagar former Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah appealed to people to maintain communal harmony, a day after protests broke out in Jammu over desecration of a temple. He said it was the Government’s responsibility to strengthen the administration so that such incidents do not take place.
Ravinder Sharma former MlC and Chief Spokesman of JKPCC also strongly condemned the incident and demanded a thorough probe and stern action under law against the guilty including those responsible for mishandling of the issue and the entire situation. Expressing concern over the approach of the local police towards highly sensitive issue of religious sentiments he said that the conspiracy behind the incident should be exposed to disturb the religious harmony at this crucial juncture.