Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab valley imposed a curfew and restrictions in major townships to avoid a flare-up between two communities after inflammatory speeches and social media posts were made on the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by two former BJP spokespersons.
Meanwhile, in Srinagar, shopkeepers at the main Lal Chowk square shut off their businesses to protest against alleged hate speech made from mosques in the Bhaderwah region.
Curfew was clamped in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar townships, while neighbouring Doda and Ramban put in place severe restrictions to limit assembly of people. Internet services too have been snapped to apparently discourage sharing of any provocative content.
In Bhaderwah, which lies close to Himachal Pradesh on one side and Doda and Kishtwar on other side, the curfew was imposed as two communities carried out back to back protests. A police official was seen announcing the curfew from a loud-hailer fitted vehicle and asking people to disassemble from a market square.
“Curfew has been clamped to ensure there is no flare up in sensitive Bhaderwah town of Doda district,” a police officer told News18 from the area. The Chenab valley with a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims has a history of communal tensions and in the past too the authorities have been quick in putting severe restrictions.
The army too has been put on standby in case of law and order situation.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is also Member of Parliament fron the Doda-Kathua seat, wrote on Twitter, “I am deeply disturbed by the unpleasant situation that developed in #Bhaderwah yesterday. I humbly appeal to the elders and the heads of the two communities to sit together to maintain the traditional harmony for which the beautiful town of Bhaderwah has always been known for. ”
“Meanwhile, I am in constant touch with DC Doda Sh Vikas Sharma and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh Ramesh Kumar. DC Doda and SSP Doda are presently camping in Bhaderwah and personally monitoring the situation,” he tweeted.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns to prevent any escalation.
Officials said that much of the last two days have been tense. A fiery speech was made by a religious priest against the suspended BJP leader and a local scribe. An incendiary Instagram post irked the majority community, who wanted administration to take action.
Following this, members of the two community took out a protest. Sensing this would lead to further tension, the Bhaderwah officials decided to impose curfew in the township.
The situation was tense but was brought under control this morning with no untoward incident being reported.
The district administration in Ramban had last night inposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPC under the jurisdiction of Police Sub Division Ramban for maintenance of law and order and safety and security of general public.
Ramban is a neighbouring district of Kishtwar and Doda and falls on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Traffic was plying on the highway.
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