JKDF calls for shutdown in Jammu on Rajouri issue

Jammu, Mar 17 (ANI): The Jammu Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) called for a shutdown here again on Saturday to highlight the plight of the minority Hindu community following an unfortunate incident in Rajouri.

"There has been shutdown in Rajouri for the last ten days. The minority community there is being oppressed. Every year, the minority community used to take out a procession here on the occasion of Holi. Some miscreants pelted stones there. They tried to beat the women. We want that the administration to transfer the Deputy Commissioner and SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) so that it builds trust in the minority community," said JKDF General Secretary Murari Lal Balgotra.

"We want the communal harmony to prevail. But our administration, the government knowingly is targeting the minority community. The JKDF has given a shutdown call so that they do not feel that they are not alone," he added.

Police and paramilitary personnel have, however, been deployed in strength in Rajouri town and other sensitive areas of the district to prevent any untoward incident.

Curfew was clamped across the town on March 8 after some unidentified persons pelted a religious procession with stones, prompting security personnel to burst tear gas shells to disperse them.

The stone-pelters were protesting against the recent remarks made by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia, which they alleged had hurt sentiments of Muslims.

Curfew was, however, lifted on March 13 following an improvement in the situation. (ANI)