JAMMU, JUNE 2 : A protest march organised in support of tribal families allegedly affected by a recent anti-encroachment drive in Jammu’s Raika Bandi forest area turned violent on Monday, leaving three police personnel injured after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting.
Police fired a few rounds in the air to disperse the mob and restore order, officials said.
The protest was linked to an anti-encroachment operation carried out jointly by the Forest Department and police on May 26 in the Raika Bandi forest belt of the lower Shivalik range. During the drive, more than 30 structures were demolished and around 60 kanals of forest land, reportedly worth several crores, were reclaimed.
According to a police spokesperson, the organisers had not obtained permission for the protest. Police personnel from Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station, assisted by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and armed police, had been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Despite repeated warnings against holding the protest without permission, Talib Hussain and his associates allegedly attempted to proceed with the march and began stone-pelting, police said. Authorities also accused the protesters of delivering provocative speeches during the gathering.
Three police personnel, including a woman Deputy Superintendent of Police, sustained injuries in the incident.
Several protesters, including Hussain, were detained, while an FIR was registered at Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station. Further investigation is underway.
Locals said a group of activists had gathered at the demolition site earlier in the day and urged affected families to join a proposed march to Srinagar to raise their concerns before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
However, many tribal residents reportedly distanced themselves from the march, claiming that outsiders had arrived to organise the protest. They also said the proposed march had been denied permission by the Divisional Commissioner.
Tensions escalated when police moved to detain some activists after they allegedly attempted to proceed despite restrictions. This was followed by stone-pelting by their supporters, officials said.
Several local residents criticised the organisers, accusing them of politicising the issue. A woman affected by the demolition drive said the families concerned were awaiting the outcome of inquiries being conducted by the Forest and Tribal Affairs Departments and had no connection with the protest.
Locals also commended the police for exercising restraint despite being targeted during the violence and claimed that none of the affected families participated in the clashes.
Speaking to reporters, Talib Hussain maintained that the march to Srinagar would continue regardless of official permission.
“Whether the government gives permission or not, we will march to Srinagar. The Constitution has given us that right,” he said.
