Jammu: Curfew was clamped in Rajouri town on Tuesday after some VHP activists burnt terror outfit IS's flag, leading to protests by minority groups who said that the flag bore religious scripture.
About 15 people defying the curfew have also been arrested on Tuesday, District Magistrate of Rajouri, Deepti Uppal, said, adding that the situation was being brought under control.
"Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPc was imposed in the town for banning of assembly of four or over four persons, but still people are trying to violate the restrictions and it has become necessary to impose curfew restrictions in the town," she said.
The situation is tense but under control after reports of burning of IS flag by some VHP activists some days ago in Jammu,
police officials said.
Muslims in Rajouri have threatened to hold protests and 'bandh' if the police do not arrest the VHP and Bajrang Dal activists for burning the flag bearing Quranic verses.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has appealed for calm from both the communities.
"There should be no communal tension. We appeal to both the communities to observe calm," he told reporters.
But Singh ruled out arrest of VHP activists.
"As far as the setting afire the IS flags is concerned, it is a terrorist outfit symbol," he added. "Is it possible?
Burning of the symbol of terrorists and anti-national elements is the work of nationalism."
"They (VHP activists) cannot be arrested. This is not possible, why should we arrest them? Why should they be
arrested," he said.
However, clarifying that it had no intention to hurt the sentiments of Muslims, the VHP, on the other hand, asked the
protesters to demonstrate against the IS for writing holy inscriptions on its flag.
"We had only burnt the IS flag. We did not know as to what was written on it in Persian," the state VHP patron, Ramakant Dubey said on Tuesday.
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