On the 34th day of the indefinite strike by Nowshera residents over district status, a protester set himself ablaze on Wednesday.
Identified as Rohit Kohli, a resident of Nowshera, he sprinkled petrol on himself and set himself ablaze. He alleged that he was thrashed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He was shifted to a hospital in Jammu as he had also consumed some quantity of petrol.
“The issue was related to opening of a shop during protest by some people. After protesters reacted to it, the DSP reached the spot to pacify them,” said Shahid Iqbal, District Development Commissioner.
A large contingent of the police and CRPF also conducted a march in the markets that led to resentment among sprotesters.
“The people have lost faith in the state government as it changes statement every day,” said Jagdish Sawhney, a member, Joint Action Committee.
He said a deputation of BJP ministers had assured to settle the matter within a week.
“The state government has been befooling the people of Nowshera by adopting a wait-and-watch policy which could prove costly. Our peaceful efforts, including the strike, highway blockade and ‘Jammu Chalo March’ have had no impact on the government,” said Sawhney.
Protester attempts immolation in Nowshera over District Status
