As the police fired tear gas shells to control the crowd, the protesters set two vehicles on fire inside the police station premises.
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Mobile Internet services were today suspended in Jammu following protests in parts of the city after an ancient temple was allegedly desecrated by a “mentally disturbed” person. The protesters created ruckus after the CCTV footage of the youth ransacking the temple went viral. “We have deployed adequate number of police personnel”, Jammu Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said.
Meanwhile, situation elsewhere the Jammu city was peaceful with shopkeepers opening their business establishments.
“They meant to attack the police station, so we resorted to mild lathicharge and tear gas to disperse them”, he added. “The accused was arrested by police but while he was being taken away, the temple priest and some local residents tried preventing police from discharging their duties”, the minister said. NC MLA Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and Independent Engineer Rasheed urged the government “to ensure the safety of Kashmiris staying in the Jammu region”.
Police sources said, “Taking cognisance in this regard, police have also started investigations on whether the arrested accused Mohammad Yasir, of Shiva, Doda is mentally unsound (as claimed by his brother) or not”.
Tarigami was supported by National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah who said the same statement should normally have come from the treasury benches instead of the opposition.
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday ordered a probe into the alleged desecration of a temple here as sporadic incidents of violence continued for a second day, police said.
Some accused persons have been arrested so far. Three police personnel including the concerned station house officer received injuries while trying to disperse the mob.
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He also said, a police officer who earlier “did not take action” against the man who allegedly vandalised the temple, has been suspended.
