JAMMU: Curfew was re-imposed in the old city or Tuesday morning when groups of anti-social elements gathered in certain areas and stoned passing vehicles. The police fired some tear gas shells to disperse the group.

Forty four persons were injured when mobs turned violent after the bomb explosion that took place near Raghunath Temple on the occasion of Jammasthami on Monday night. The victims included six policemen and four journalist’s two of whom were also deprived of their cameras.

The mob also burnt the Residency Road police post and five vehicles. It ransacked two shops and damaged many others.

Of the injured 11 are still undergoing medical treatment at the SMGS Hospital and two in the military hospital. Six of them are stated to be in a critical condition.

The district police chief Anup Singh Salatha and his driver were injured in brick batting at Raghunath Chowk.

S.S.Wazir Inspector-General of Jammu range told ENS that the police had caught two suspects after the explosion which was caused by a Chinese stick grenade.

In Srinagar militants launched rocket and grenade attacks on security forces at several places in the Kashmir valley since Monday night while the bandh against the fresh security measures in Rainawari locality of Srinagar city continued on the Second day reports PTI.

Militants fired rockets at 8 BSF picket at Sakidaffer in Srinagar on Monday night. The attack was followed by an exchange of fire between militants and securitymen but no casualty was reported official sources said.

A grenade was hurled on a CRPF picket at Magam in Badgam district and a picket outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Tankipora in Srinagar last night. The security men returned the fire at both the places but no loss of life was reported the sources said.

Earlier militants fired al security pickets at Nawakadal Sakidatter Chattibal and Dareshkadal in downtown Srinagar on Monday night. The security forces retaliated but no one was injured in the clashes the sources said.

Meanwhile Al-Umer command does and other militant outfits had given a call for indefinite strike. The strike would continue till the security bankers installed at more than 300 places in Rainawari locality were removed the militants said.

Troops were rushed and curfew was imposed in Rainawari and adjoining areas on Friday in a bid to capture the militants. After the troops withdrew on Sunday afternoon the paramilitary forces took positions in the newly-installed bunkers.

NEW DELHI: Mangat Ram Sharma a senior Congress (I) leader from Jammu and Kashmir had voiced concern over the growing spurt in violence incidents and bomb explosions in Jammu and urged the state government to tone up the administration.

In a statement here Sharma said the Congress (I) had warmed the state administration about the “nefarious designs” of anti-national elements who wanted 19 create communal discord and incite violence in Jammu region.

He said the state administration should gear itself to face the challenge of anti-national elements to strengthening intelligence network as also the state police set-up.

Sharma said it was in the national interest to maintain peace and communal harmony in Jammu region.

He appealed to the people Jammu to maintain law and order and not allow them to fall into the trap of anti-national elements.

SRINAGAR: Militants launched rocket and grenade attacks on security pickets and posts in the summer capital of the state since Friday night but no loss of life was reported official sources said on Saturday.

Army troops joined paramilitary forces in house-to-house search operations in Narbal Kawoosa Yarigund Magam and adjoining areas of Badgam district Saturday morning to flush out militants and their harborers the sources said. The residents were asked to come out of their houses for identification and house-to-house searches were being carried out But there was no report of arrests or recovery of arms and ammunition so far the sources said.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 13, 1991