JAMMU: The Union Minister for Jammu and Kashmir Affairs, Mr. George Fernandez who visited the Jammu region on Saturday and Sunday got a feel of the growing separatist tendencies in Doda district, bordering Kashmir.

A partial bandh was observed in Doda town even as separatist slogans blared from loudspeakers in places of worship. There was a proseparatist demonstration by women in the trouble prone Bhaderwah town.

Pro militant bandhs and demonstrations had been organized earlier in Doda and other towns like Bhaderwah, Kistwar and Banihal. Three persons were killed in Bhaderwah recently when the police opened fire on a procession which had turned violent.

Mr. Fernandez went to the place of worship from where separatist slogans were being aired and met a number of people. He also addressed a public meeting at Kistwar calling upon people to shun violence.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 27, 1990