Bandh continues in Jammu for third day

JAMMU: Jammu witnessed a shutdown for the third consecutive day today as part of agitation being carried out by an amalgam of over 70 organisations to press for setting up an AIIMS in this region of the state.

16 people have been detained, according to the organisers of the bandh.

Business establishments, market places and shops generally remained closed and public transport remained off the roads in view of the 72-hour bandh call given by the AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) which is spearheading the agitation. The bandh began on Friday morning.

Protesters blocked the highway and various roads in the city by burning tyres, police sources said.

Chairman of AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) and Jammu Bar Association (JBA) President, Abhinav Sharma said a decision on whether to continue the bandh or suspend it will be taken after the current shutdown ends.

He said the protests are going on peacefully in various parts of the region and nobody has resorted to violent methods.

He accused police of using "brute force" on ACC protestors yesterday by restorting to "cane charge and teargas shelling" and "breaking window panes of our vehicles by rods and sticks on the direction of BJP Ministers".

Meanwhile, the chain hunger strike by the ACC entered 13th day today with over 30 people taking turns to sit for the protest.

District administration has imposed Section 144 of CrPC in Jammu district, prohibiting assembly of more than four people at any place.