ISLAMABAD: The situation continues to be tense in Jammu for the third consecutive day on Sunday as more than 2000 people have taken shelter in a mosque in Bathindi area in Jammu, fearing attacks from Hindu extremists.
It merits a mention that the conflict in the region escalated after nearly 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and many others injured when terrorists targeted a convoy with a car bomb at Awantipora in Pulwama.
Later, militant outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad assumed responsibility for the attack, reported as the worst ever on security forces in the state.
A resident of Bhatindi, Nouman Manzoor, said, “Over 2000 people are stationed at Makkah Masjid in Bathindi right now and more people are pouring in.”
These people include stranded Kashmir-bound passengers and people living in sensitive zones of Jammu district.
Abdul Majid, a resident of Ganderbal district in Kashmir Valley, said, “I am part of a group comprising around 700 people and we had gone to visit Ajmer in 15-16 buses. We returned a couple of days ago, but as the Jammu-Srinagar highway was shut, we were putting up at Narwal.”
He added, “On Friday, a group of Hindu hooligans came to the area and pelted stones on us. They damaged our buses and misbehaved. Fearing violence, we came to Bathindi, last night.
Saddam Hussain, another resident of Bathindi, said, “Around 2000 people are putting up at Mecca Masjid right now, with more pouring in from all quarters.
Moreover, a shutdown is being observed in all district headquarters of the Kashmir including Srinagar as a mark of protest against attacks by Hindu mobs.
According to Kashmir Media Service, call for the strike has been given by the several trade bodies including the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Forum and Kashmir Economic Alliance and was supported by High Court Bar Association of the occupied territory.
All shops and other business establishments are closed and public transport is off the roads. The authorities have suspended mobile Internet service in most parts of the territory.
Kashmiri students staying as tenants in Dehradun and Ambala at local houses were asked to vacate by the homeowners.
