CRPF officer injured in Jammu protest over Prophet remark
JAMMU: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was injured on Friday morning after a mob of around 150 people attacked security personnel amid an ongoing curfew in Bhaderwah town in Jammu’s Doda district, police said.
Section 144 of CRPC (prohibit assembly of four or more people in an area) was imposed in the town on Thursday evening after inflammatory speeches were allegedly made and provocative messages were reportedly posted on social media against Prophet Mohammed by two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. A curfew was later imposed in the area.
Curfew was also imposed in the adjoining district of Kishtwar and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CRPC were imposed in Ramban district. Mobile internet services were suspended in Bhaderwah town and Kishtwar district.
On Friday morning, a CRPF personnel was injured when a mob of around 150 people defied the curfew and gathered outside Jamia Masjid and resorted to stone pelting, an officer said. The administration had barred Friday prayers at the mosque, the officer pointed out.
“There was an incident of stone pelting by about 100 to 150 people outside Jamia Masjid in Bhaderwah town on Friday morning. A CRPF jawan suffered minor injuries in the incident”, the officer said on condition of anonymity. Security forces fired some tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, the officer added.
“... the situation in Bhaderwah is under control. We are constantly monitoring the situation ,” additional director general of police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh said.“the curfew will continue and as and when the situation starts returning to normal, it will be relaxed,” he added.
A senior Doda district official also said the “situation remains under control”. Kishtwar deputy commissioner AK Sharma said prohibitory orders will continue as a precautionary measure.
“No untoward incident was reported in the district but since it was a Friday, the administration decided to continue with the curfew restrictions,” Sharma said. Ramban deputy commissioner (DC) Massrat-ul-islam also said the situation in the district is under control.
A senior J&K police officer said FIRS have been filed against a cleric for allegedly calling for violence against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who was among the two leaders who made the remark, and a minor for allegedly uploading an objectionable post against the Prophet on social media.
“FIRS were registered in both cases. The police have warned that anyone found violating law and order will not be spared,” the officer said.“i urge the people to behave responsibly and assure them that the guilty will not go scot-free,” DGP Dilbag Singh said in Kathua.