Protesters defy curfew, 14 injured in clashes

Jammu, Jul 7 (PTI) Defying curfew, protesters, demanding
restoration of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, Sunday
staged massive rallies here and fought pitched battles with
police in which 14 people were injured.

Police burst teargas shells and resorted to cane-charge
to disperse the demonstrators who blocked road traffic, stoned
security personnel and torched effigies of Congress and PDP
leaders.

Chanting anti-Governor and anti-state government slogans,
they clashed with police in pouring rains at several places in
which 14, including three cops, were injured, official sources
said.

Over 90 protesters were arrested in connection with fresh
violence as curfew slapped on nine towns in the city remained
in force for the sixth day Sunday.

Army conducted flag marches when curfew was relaxed for
an hour in Bhaderwah, Vijaypur, Lakhanpur and other areas this
morning.

Defying curfew, over 6000 protesters took to the streets
in Muthi area demanding immediate restoration of land to the
Amarnath Shrine Board.

Squatting on the roads, they also demanded release of all
those arrested in connection with violence in the wake of the
land row.

Over 7000 protesters, led by B.J.P. leaders, took out a
rally at Satwari Chowk in the heart of the city and burnt
effigies of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Governor N.N.
Vohra.

Protesters also defied curfew at Tallab Tilloo, Canal
Road, Bantalab, Vijaypur, Ramgarh, R.S. Pura and Kathua.

Some demonstrators hurled stones at houses of some
Ministers and Congress legislators, the sources said.

Over 1400 activists of B.J.P., V.H.P., Bajrang Dal, Shiv
Sena and other saffron outfits had been arrested since the
start of the stir, the sources said.

Poonch, Rajouri, Sunderbani, Noushera, Reasi, Katra,
Udhampur, Ramnagar and Basholi Sunday observed a complete
shutdown in Jammu region over the land controversy. PTI AB
SCY