Attack on nomad family: Shutdown in J&K's Reasi district, protesters demand fair probe

Jammu: Normal life was hit in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir due to a shutdown called by a few right-wing Hindu groups to protest the “failure” of police to arrest members of a nomadic family for “smuggling cattle and raising anti-national slogans” on Thursday. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Bajrang Dal, transporters’ and trading organisations have also demanded that the police release 11 people arrested for “thrashing” two members of the nomadic family while they were transporting bovines without permission. [caption id=“attachment_2835508” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] “A complete shutdown was observed in the town. A peaceful procession was taken out by the protesters. They have given a memorandum to the administration,” SSP, Reasi, Tahir Bhat said.  The SSP said there was no untoward incident reported and the situation is under control. Normal life was disrupted due to the shutdown. Public transport remained off the roads. Shops and other business establishments were closed. Police personnel were deployed in adequate numbers and troops of the CRPF were stationed at strategic places in the city. The army was kept on stand-by. State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Sheep and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli said the civil and police administration have been asked to inquire into the recent incidents in the district and take action against the culprits. He said the law enforcement agencies are there to check illegal transportation of bovines and nobody should be and can be allowed to take the law into his and her own hands. The minister said the government will act tough against those who try to vitiate the atmosphere. “The state government is the custodian of the security of the people and every step will be taken to ensure the safety of the peace-loving citizens of the state,” he said. An ABVP leader said that they demand the police release the arrested persons, spike the FIR registered against them, a fair probe, suspension of SSP and deputy SP and the arrest of bovine smugglers involved in the case for allegedly raising anti-national slogans. He said the police have falsely implicated innocent persons in the case. Eleven people were on Monday arrested for allegedly beating up members of a nomadic family in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. Four members of the nomadic family have also been booked for transporting cattle from Reasi to Inshan in Kishtwar district without taking permission from the deputy commissioner, Reasi. The police had earlier said one needs a movement permit issued by the deputy commissioner for transporting cattle from one place to another in a vehicle and a nod from the DFO for transporting them on foot. They family did not take permission from the DC.