Lawyers' strike enters 17th day, govt sets up probe panel

The lawyers' strike against police over the alleged assault on an advocate by some policemen, entered the 17th day today even as the government constituted a three member committee to probe the matter.
Lawyers, led by president of Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ), M K Bhardwaj continued their strike demanding suspension of the policemen involved in the alleged assault on a lawyer after seizure of his two-wheeler without number plate and documents on April 16.
The lawyers staged the protest at High Court complex and raised anti-police slogans as the functioning of the judiciary continud to remain paralysed.
"We will continue to hold protests unless and until our demand, for suspension of the cops, including Station House Officer (SHO), are fulfilled. There will be no compromise on it," Bhardwaj told reporters here.

He said that a 72-hour ultimatum had been given to the police and the government. If their demands are not met within the deadline, which ends tomorrow, plans for further action would be charted out.
The Jammu and Kashmir government constituted a three member committee of Law Department to probe the matter.
When asked about the probe panel constituted by the government, Bhardwaj said, "First of all police should suspend those involved in the incident and then we will cooperate with the panel.