BJYM protesters detained outside Abdullah’s residence

Jammu, November 25

Jammu and Kashmir’s BJP youth wing chief and some members were detained by the police on Wednesday as they tried to stage a protest outside the residence of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah over allegation that the house had been built over encroached government land, officials said.

Ex-Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, also a former CM, have been named by the J&K Administration in a list of people who had allegedly encroached on forest land. The administration claimed that the house in Jammu, belonging to Farooq Abdullah and his son, was built on encroached land, a charge denied by the NC. Arun Dev Singh Jamwal, the president of the BJP youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), and other activists were detained during their bid to stage the protest even as some NC members launched a counter-agitation, officials said.

Led by Jamwal, BJYM members also raised slogans against Abdullah near his residence in Bhatandi.

Police personnel, who were deployed in strength, chased them away and detained Singh, Hari Om and other BJYM activists, the officials said. Several NC members and locals gathered there and staged a counter-protest, alleging the BJP was deliberately trying to “vitiate the peaceful atmosphere” ahead of the ensuing DDC elections. However, the BJYM workers said they were holding peaceful protest. — PTI

Counter stir by NC

Some NC members launched a counter-agitation, officials said.