Violence in communally-sensitive Bhaderwah valley in J-K, Curfew clamped

Curfew was clamped in communally-sensitive Bhaderwah valley in Doda on Thursday after members of a community attacked a police station and damaged several vehicles in protest against killing of a person who, they alleged, was targeted as he was involved in cattle trade.

The Doda district administration, however, ruled out cow vigilantism as the reason behind the murder and said that some people were trying to give communal colour to the incident to flare up the situation.

The authorities have blocked internet services in the district.

"One person with the name of Nayeem was coming from Chatergala side during midnight. When he reached near Nalthi area, he was killed and another person with him suffered splinter injuries (in a firing incident)," IGP Jammu Zone, M K Sinha told PTI.

He said that two suspects, who allegedly opened fire, have been arrested and five others have been detained.

The body was sent for post mortem, he said adding the reason behind the firing incident in the area was being investigated.

The killing triggered protests as a large number people belonging to a community, including the kin of the deceased, pelted stone on Bhaderwah police station. They damaged several vehicles and set afire a three-wheeler, officials said.

The protesters also pelted stones on premises belonging to another community, forcing police to cane charge and use teargas shells to disperse the mobs.

The relatives of the deceased alleged that he was victim of cow vigilantism and was targeted as he was involved in cattle trade.

Residents of Nalthi village told the police that two to three persons were found moving under suspicious circumstances at around 2 am in the area which led to the firing.

Deputy Commissioner of Doda Sagar Doifode, said, "There is no cow vigilantism involved in this incident. It is not such an incident. Some people are deliberately giving it a communal colour."