Sikh protests: Indian Army deployed in Jammu as tension prevails

Jammu: The Indian Army was on Saturday deployed in various parts of tense Jammu as the sikh youth killed in clashes with police was cremated after the state government accepted most of the demands of the agitating community, including magisterial probe and transfer of district police chief. Army carried out a ‘Flag March’ in the disturbed areas of Jammu, including Miran Sahib, Satwari, Digiana, RS Pura, Talab Tillo, Bakshi Nagar and Rehari this morning as security was stepped up in view of the 31st death anniversary of Khalistani militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. [caption id=“attachment_2282988” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sikh protesters block Jammu-Pathankot National Highway during a protest in Kathua on Friday in Jammu. PTI[/caption] Quick reactions teams (QRTs) of police were also deployed in view of the prevailing tension arising out of four-day protest by sikh community members over removal of Bhindranwale’s posters which had come up in some localities. “The situation in Jammu is peaceful but tense. There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere today. Elaborate security measures have been taken in view of the sensitive situation,” a senior police officer said. Defence PRO Lt Col Manish Mehta said two columns of Army were deployed in the city after requisition from the civil administration. One column moved onto the streets and roads of Miran Sahib to conduct a ‘Flag March’ to caution rioters and violent protesters, he said, adding that soon after, one more column of troops was sent to control the situation in RS Pura. “Situation is tense, however, under control,” Mehta said. Meanwhile, the sikh youth killed during clashes with police on Thursday was cremated today after the state government accepted most of the demands of the agitating community. The government ordered magisterial probe into firing incident and violence. It would be conducted by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pawan Kotwal. Accepting another demand, the government ordered transfer of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Uttam Chand, suspension of Satwari’s Station House Officer (SHO) Kulbir Singh and payment of ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and a government job to the next kin of the slain sikh youth Jagjit Singh. A case under murder charges was also registered against SSP’s PSO. PTI