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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Violent protests in Jammu against Governor’s decision

Staff Reporter

The decision is one of appeasement and discrimination, say protesters

Jammu: A day after the Governor N.N. Vohra announced that the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board would not pursue its request for forest land at Baltal, tensions simmered here with a dozen-odd persons being injured in protests against the decision.

The BJP, the VHP, Panun Kashmir and the Shiv Sena called for a bandh, terming the Governor’s decision one of “appeasement and discrimination.” Though officials claimed that the situation was under control, life in the winter capital was brought to a complete standstill in the wake of violent protests.

Roads blocked

Protesters and the police engaged in battles at various places in the city. Public transportation was completely disrupted. The National Highway 1A was blocked at Nagrota. So too was the Jammu-Pathankot highway, the State’s main link to the rest of the country. Over 2500 vehicles were stranded here, as people blocked all roads to the city. Even the main Tawi bridge which connects the downtown part of the city with the new township was closed to traffic.

Protesters pelted stones at the People Democratic Party headquarters in the city and the residences of People Democratic Party legislator Shanti Devi and Congress Minister Mangat Ram Sharma. The miscreants were chased away by the police.

Yatra resumes

Meanwhile Yatra to the cave shrine of Shri Amarnathji resumed from Jammu on Monday morning with 3531 pilgrims leaving for the advanced base camps at Pahalgam and Baltal.

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