Curfew in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah after one person killed in firing

An indefinite curfew was imposed on Thursday morning in Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district after violent protests broke out following the murder of a 40-year-old villager by unidentified persons.

Nayeem Shah of Mohalla Qilla in Bhaderwah town was killed on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. “Nayeem was killed and another person received splinter injuries in the firing,” said Jammu zone IGP MK Sinha.

Mobile internet services have been suspended as a precautionary measure following the incident to keep a check on rumour mongers

“A curfew has been imposed in entire Bhaderwah area and paramilitary personnel besides policemen have been deployed in strength,” said Doda deputy commissioner DS Dattatray.

While officials were trying to ascertain the reason behind the firing, relatives of Nayeem alleged he was a victim of cow vigilantism, according to media reports.

“Facts are not clear ayet. The deceased was not a victim of cow vigilantism. Nothing of this sort has come to the fore as of now. This man probably was involved in bovine smuggling earlier but facts are not clear,” said the deputy commissioner.

When asked whether vehicles and houses of minority community were targeted by a frenzied mob protesting the killing, he said, “there were minor incidents of stone pelting here and there”.

A police officer said that a case has been registered and further investigations are being carried out. “The body has been sent for postmortem and would be handed over to the family after completion of the medico legal formalities,” he added.

The police have detained seven people so far. Reports said that soon after the incident, family of the deceased attacked the Bhaderwah police station and damaged around half a dozen vehicles including a three-wheeler. The police had to resort to cane-charge and use tear-gas to disperse the mob.

First Published: May 16, 2019 14:19 IST