Demanding "full-fledged" AIIMS for Jammu, members of AIIMS Coordination Committee and lawyers today clashed with the police at several places and at least 20 of them were arrested on the fourth day of the 'bandh' in the city.
Business establishments, market places and shops remained closed and public transport was off the roads.
Instances of stone pelting were reported from some parts of the city and police used force to quell the protest. Yesterday, the outfit had renewed its 'bandh' for another 72 hours.
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The Committee, claiming to represent over 70 organisations, sought issuance of notification required as per AIIMS Act of 2012 to establish full-fledged AIIMS for Jammu.
It threatened to escalate the stir "leading to unimaginable consequences for the BJP", which is part of the ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Making an impromptu appearance at the 'dharna' site immediately after his arrival from Srinagar, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah today proposed an all party delegation from J&K to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demand of AIIMS to Jammu region.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police of Jammu, Rajeev Pandey, said that 20 people were arrested.
"We have arrested 20 protestors in Jammu district for defying restrictions. Most of them were lawyers and ACC members. Some of them have also been bailed out."
"There were a few incidents of stone pelting on the police and we also had to use mild force to quell the protests," a police officer said.
The ACC had called for complete Jammu 'bandh' from July 31 to August 2. Yesterday, it extended it for another 72 hours.
The ACC has been spearheading the agitation for the establishment of a full-fledged All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jammu. They have been accusing the BJP-PDP coalition of shifting the proposed AIIMS sanctioned for Jammu to Kashmir.
