Section 144 continues in Bhaderwah town of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district to maintain law and order situation following tensions over a social media post. Bhaderwah has been tense for nearly a week after suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made remarks on Prophet Muhammad. After her comments, some local right wing activists came out in her support and put out some social media posts.
Following this, a Muslim cleric made provocative speech from a mosque and threatened Hindus in the Valley. This prompted the authorities to take preventive measures to ensure it doesn’t plunge into crisis. Army was called in for flag march and curfew was imposed in the town.
The curfew was first imposed in Bhaderwah and parts of Kishtwar district last Thursday. On Tuesday, curfew was lifted for five hours in Kishtwar but Bhanderwah continued to be under the restrictions.
On Sunday, the police arrested a person for allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech at the mosque. They on Tuesday detained nine people in Bhaderwah town for provocative sloganeering during a protest, the official said as per news agency. According to the report, the officials said that the curfew in the Bhaderwah town is expected to be relaxed in a phased manner.
In the neighbouring Kishtwar district, curfew was relaxed for five hours on Tuesday. Shops and business establishments were allowed to open soon after the relaxation was announced. On Monday too, the curfew was relaxed for one-and-a-half hours.
While there have been some relaxations in curfew, broadband and mobile internet services continue to remain suspended in both Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.