Dozens hurt in violence during anti-encroachment drive in Jammu

Jammu, Dec 22 (IANS) Dozens of people, including a senior Jammu Development Authority official and policemen, were injured on Saturday during an anti-encroachment drive in Jammu city.Contingents of police and JDA officials are involved in an anti-encroachment drive ordered by the High Court in Nikki Tawi area of the city.The drive has affected locals, mostly belonging to the tribal Gujjar community. As the drive began, they resorted throwing stones at the officials.The JDA vice-chairman, station house officer of Bakshi Nagar police station and dozens of policemen and other staff were injured in the clashes.The members of the Gujjar community said the JDA had selectively started the anti-encroachment drive, ignoring the illegal structures constructed by some MLAs and ministers.The officials said they were carrying out directions of the High Court that had ordered removal of all illegal structures around the Tawi river in the city.
--IANS sq/prs