Three persons, including a policeman, received burn injuries when a Kashmir-bound truck was attacked with a petrol bomb in Udhampur district of Jammu division last night following which six persons have been arrested.
“CCTV footage helped us nab two persons who were seen throwing combustible substance on a Kashmir-bound truck at Shiv Nagar area of the district,” Deputy Commissioner (DC) Udhampur, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, told PTI.
After questioning of the two accused, they revealed the identity of four more persons who were involved in the attack on the truck last night, he said.
“All the six accused have been arrested and booked under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) including under the section of inciting communal tension in the state,” he said. Three persons, including a policeman, driver and conductor received burn injuries when two persons first broke the front glass of the truck and later threw a petrol bomb inside the truck late last night, a police officer said.
Three persons were sleeping inside the truck at the time of the incident, the officer said.
The truck was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu and was stationary since yesterday near Shiv Nagar area as traffic on Jammu-Srinagar Highway was stopped in view of the day-long strike called by various Hindu outfits following recovery of three carcasses of cows in the district.
He said that two persons in the truck – Zahid (19) and Showkat (35) – received serious burn injuries and a policeman who tried to help douse the fire also received some burn injuries in the incident.
The injured were first shifted to the District Hospital Udhampur and later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu.
Three districts of Jammu region including Udhampur, Kathua and Reasi observed a complete strike yesterday after three carcasses of cows were found behind the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Chenani area of Udhampur district. Officials said the cows were not slaughtered.
Another carcass of a cow was today recovered from Gandala area of Udhampur district. However, the administration said the cow had died a natural death.
“Today, carcass of another bovine animal was recovered in the district but the veterinary doctors on examination found that it was an old carcass and the animal had died a natural death. Local residents agreed with it,” the DC said.
NATURAL DEATH OF BOVINE ADMITTED BY OWNER: GOVT
Tension gripped Udhampur town early morning today after some people alleged cow slaughter in the vicinity of town which was later found to be false information.
DC Udhampur rushed the Executive Magistrate, CEO Municipal Committee and a team of veterinary doctors accompanied by police team under DySP Gaurav Mahajan to the spot to enquire about the case. The case was found to be natural death.
Addl Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Angrez Singh Rana along with Addl SP Mohan Lal Kaith, on behalf of district administration held a press conference along with the owner of bovine to clarify the alleged bovine killing incident ruling out any foul play.
The reported incident of cow slaughter in vicinity of Udhampur town has come out to be a natural death case. The owner of cow has been identified as one Jia Lal Atri S/O Munshi Ram Ramdasi R/O Village Sambal. The owner admitted that the animal died few days back which was disposed off through a sweeper namely Dulla on payment of Rs 3500. However, the same was disposed in open by Dulla.
Meanwhile, the district administration appealed the people to maintain calm and restraint and not to get driven by rumours spread on social media or otherwise.
Action is also being taken against some rumour mongers who spread the false news of alleged brutal murder of cow to create communal tension that lead to massive protests in the town. The situation was however defused after the facts came to light and owner admitted the natural death.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has reiterated the seriousness of law enforcement authorities for strict action against persons taking law into their hand. He instructed the police for formulating dossiers of rumour mongers to be booked under Public Safety Act, if necessary. At least 12 rumour mongers have been shortlisted for legal action.
