Violence escalates in Jammu, curfew imposed

JAMMU: Curfew was clamped in the winter capital of the state on Friday in view of the high tension prevailing in the area over the Amarnath land row.

Violence escalated in the city as protesters resorted to stone pelting outside Raj Bhavan. They were reportedly angry over Governor N N Vohra's decision to hold meeting with the political leaders.

Vohra was holding meeting with National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah & PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.

Earlier, hundreds of Amarnath protesters laid siege to the airport here, leaving Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti stranded there.

As the news of arrival of Abdullah and Mufti spread in the city, protesters led by Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti thronged the airport and lay siege to it, official sources said.

The protesters also parked tractors on the road leading to the Raj Bhawan in an area of three kilometres, they said.

Authorities were trying to fly Farooq and Mehbooba to Raj Bhawan in the state helicopter.

The protesters raising slogans against Governor N N Vohra, Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq and Omar Abdullah, also burnt the effigies and flags.

Over 1,200 people also protested at the Raj Bhavan.