4 detained for throwing stones at BJP MLA in J&K: Police

The police have detained four persons for allegedly hurling stones at a BJP legislator while protesting the death of four persons in a road accident in Samba district yesterday.
"We have registered a case in connection with the attack on Samba MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal and have detained four persons for questioning," Station House Officer of the Ghagwal police station Rajeshwar Singh Paul said.
The BJP MLA was injured yesterday when some persons threw stones at his cavalcade in the Ghagwal police station area, where he had gone to take part in the cremation of two of the four persons who lost their lives when a mini-bus overturned on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway.

Those killed included two students.
Eighteen people were also injured in the accident, triggering protests by people against alleged failure of the government to check "rash driving and overloading".
The officer said the police were trying to ascertain the identity of those involved in the attack.

He said the case would be investigated under sections of the Ranbir Penal Code pertaining to "attempt to murder, wrongful restraint and rioting".
The detention of the four persons led to protest by border villagers. They demanded that the detainees be released.
Meanwhile, officials said a group of the MLA's supporters blocked the highway at Samba Chowk and Diani for nearly two hours in the morning, demanding arrest and action against those involved in the attack on the legislator.

They said the protest ended peacefully and normal traffic movement had resumed.