The situation in Kathua district, that witnessed clashes between two communities today, is under control and is being closely monitored by the civil and police administration, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri said.
He was replying to a question by National Conference leader and MLA from Kangan Mian Altaf in the lower house.
Giving details of the incident, Veri said today at around 7.30 AM some locals of Harya Chak village in the district found a severed head, allegedly of a cow, near the house of one Maskeen Gujjar, resident of Chak Dhari Harya in Chak Rajbagh.
"As the news spread, 200 to 300 members of the Hindu Community assembled there and held a protest demonstration and also blocked the road. Soon after one person took the severed head in his possession. Thereafter, the gathering swelled up to 500-600 people and they moved to Harya Chak Chowk in the shape of a procession," he said.
The minister said local police headed by SDPO Border and SHO reached the spot and tried to pacify the protestors.
"However, the protestors continued their march and on reaching Harya Chowk the gathering swelled to 700/800. Police made many attempts to stop the protesters but they managed to reach Harya Chowk where around 300/400 members of the Gujjar community had assembled. Stone pelting begun from both the sides," he said.
Veeri said the police, sensing the situation going out of control, lobbed some teargas shells and also fired few rounds in the air to disperse the mob and control the situation.
"The protesters dispersed but regrouped immediately," he said.
Veeri said DIG Jammu-Kathua Range, Deputy Chief Kathua and SSP Kathua are on the spot making efforts to pacify the protesting people.
"During the clashes between the two groups, the locals damaged the house of a person belonging to the Gujjar community. Due to the stone pelting, around 9/10 persons sustained injuries. One police constable also sustained injuries during the clashes," he said.
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