BJP, ACC activists clash as Jammu observes complete bandh

Clashes broke out between activists of AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) and the BJP today in Jammu, where a complete bandh was observed over demand of establishment of AIIMS in the region, following which police used cane charge to bring situation to normal.

ACC has gone ahead with a three-day bandh in Jammu, which started here today, after rejecting the Centre's announcement for "AIIMS-like facilities" in the region.

ACC activists took out a rally in the city in a cavalcade of vehicles and reached Kachi Chawani belt near BJP headquarters in Jammu city and held protest demonstrations.

As they raised anti-BJP and anti-government slogans, BJP activists also came out of the party headquarters and raised counter slogans against the ACC and Jammu Bar Association resulting in clashes.

Some activists also pelted stones forcing police to resort to minor cane charge and teargas shelling in a bid to disperse the protesters.

"There was clashes between BJP activists and protesters at Kachi Chawani area here. The situation has brought under control. There was minor cane charge. No one has been injured," SP Jammu, Rajiv Pandey told PTI.

"The situation is under control and bandh is going on smoothly in the rest part of the district. There have been rallies taking places. At some places tyres have been burnt as a mark of protest," he said adding, no untoward incidents were reported from anywhere in the district.

Jammu observed a complete bandh over the demand of AIIMS in Jammu. All business establishments, market places and shops remained closed and public transport remained off the roads.

Protestors broke window panes of some matadors and trucks on Akhnoor-Canal road and highway. Protestors blocked the highway at Digiana in the city by burning tyres and sitting on highway for two hours.

"We will continue will the bandh unless and until the Centre does not announce full-fledged AIIMS institute for Jammu. What has been announced by Health Minister J P Nadda is a cruel joke with people of Jammu", ACC Chairman and Jammu Bar Association President, Abhinav Sharma told reporters here.

Reports from Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi districts said bandh was observed in these towns in support of the demand for AIIMS.

Reports from other districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda said partial bandh was observed in these areas.