Jammu, Jul 19: Curfew has been imposed in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir following violent protests and resultant firing in which 4 persons were killed and 44 injured after a mob attacked a BSF camp.
"We have imposed curfew in Ramban district as a precautionary measure around 5.30 PM yesterday", said the District Development Commissioner (DDC) of Ramban, Shan Vinood Meena.
The mob attacked a BSF camp in Ramban district over alleged high-handedness by a BSF team.
Curfew was imposed in the entire district as a precautionary measure in the wake of the killings as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said such incidents have the potential to jeopardise peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
BSF said its personnel opened fire in self-defence with "maximum restraint" when a mob indulged in firing and tried to storm their storehouse of arms and ammunition.
Inspector General of BSF Jammu Frontier Rajeev Krishna told reporters that a picket of troops of 76 Battalion of BSF posted on Ramban district intercepted one person moving in suspicious circumstances at a check-point at Dursoo Nallah Bridge area between 9.45 PM to 10 PM last night.
As he was questioned about his movement, he refused to give details about his presence there. The BSF team left him and informed the police, the IG said.
The IG said that at around 6.30 AM yesterday as the police were investigating the matter, a mob of 700-800 people attacked the BSF post with stones injuring one constable, Krishna said.
He said there was also firing from the mob in which one BSF jawan sustained gun-shot wounds and the protesters stormed the camp, pelted stones and tried to force their way into the arms and ammunition store.
"Keeping in view the threat to the arms and ammunitions, steps were taken with maximum restraint by the security forces in which there were some casualties", the IG of BSF said adding four persons were killed.
Asked whether the casualties were in BSF or police firing, the IG said "BSF and police officials and officers were on the spot. It is difficult to say in whose firing the casualties were caused".
Hours after the killing of four protestors in security forces firing, Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday ordered transfer of the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban district.
"In the interest of administration, government ordered transfer of Director Estates Mohammad Hussain Malik and posted him as Deputy Commissioner Ramban vice Shyam Vinod Meena," an official spokesman said here.
He said Meena, an IAS officer, has been asked to report to General Administration Department for further duties.
The Centre has asked the Jammu and Kashmir to keep a strict vigil over the situation in the state following the death of three persons in firing by security forces.
As part of its damage control exercise and apprehensive about protests during the holy month of Ramzan, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde came out with a strong statement where he warned that any excessive use of force would be dealt with strictly.
Home Ministry officials said they were in regular touch with the state government officials and asked them to ensure that security forces observe restraint and no more violence take place anywhere in the state in coming days.
The Centre is particularly worried over the situation which may arise tomorrow -- after the first Friday prayers.
Officials said, in the past, the state has witnessed many violent protests after Friday prayers which further boiled the situation.
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