Protesters demanding that the Nowshera town be made a district today clashed with police, resulting in injuries to more than 30 people, including a deputy commissioner and about 10 policemen.
The protesters threw stones at the police, who used batons and tear gas shells to disperse them.
Protests have been going on in the Nowshera town in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district for the last one and a half months demanding that the Nowshera, Kalakote and Sunderbani towns in the border belt be made districts.
The protest turned violent a day after the J&K government announced appointment of additional deputy commissioners in the three towns.
A large number of protesters took out a rally in the Nowshera town. A clash broke out when the police tried to stop them.
The mob hurled stones at the men in uniform and vehicles.
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The police used batons and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
More than 30 people were injured in the incident, the police said.
Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, an additional superintend of police, 2 DSPs, a station house officer and two sub-inspectors were among those injured, they said.
More than 20 civilians were wounded. Four of them were admitted to the GMC Hospital in Jammu and the rest to the Nowshera Hospital.
Five police vehicles were damaged in stone pelting, they said.
Internet services have been suspended in the area in view of the incident.
The Deputy Commissioner and the SSP of the Rajouri district are holding talks with the protesters, the police said.
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