Nowshera: Coalition partners clash on streets; 5 injured, 2 FIRs lodged

JAMMU: In an incident unbecoming to two partners in ruling coalition, two political workers of BJP and three of PDP received injuries and were admitted to hospital, as the partners in the state government slugged it out during the ongoing agitation for district status, on the roads of Nowshera town of Rajouri.
This was first such incident since the formation of PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier during the 2014 State Assembly Elections, when there were no such chances of alliance between arch-rivals PDP and BJP, the workers of both the parties had clashed in which the present sitting MLA of Nowshera from BJP, Ravinder Raina also had suffered injuries.
According to the eye-witnesses, the peaceful demonstration in favour of distriuct status was going on, when workers of both the ruling parties exchanged heated arguments which then turned violent and attacked each other with punches and kicks. The local residents intervened and five injured persons were moved to local hospital and later shifted to GMC Jammu.
Sources said that PDP workers blamed BJP for everything and for not agreeing with the demands of the Nowshera people, whereas BJP members interrupted them saying that PDP is also part of coalition.
The PDP Leader Om Prakesh Choudhary, who is close relative of PDP MLC Surinder Choudhary and BJP's Bhawani Mandal president Badhur Singh and Narinder Mangu entered into a duel following which few others also jumped in.
"Five people were reportedly injured in the assault by some people in Nowshera belt," police said.
The injured have been identified as Sarpanches Bhadur Singh and Sukhdev Singh, Chhotu Ram Choudhary (PDP) and Narinder Kumar Mangu and Om Parkash (BJP).
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina issued a written statement alleging that PDP workers had assaulted BJP leaders in Nowshera and "critically" injured them.
However, when contacted, both BJP MLA and PDP MLC were not available for comments.
The MLA Raina in his statement said that the incident took place during a "peaceful procession". He alleged that PDP leader Om Prakesh Choudhary assaulted Bhawani Mandal president Badhur Singh and BJP district chief Narinder Kumar.
Whereas, the PDP's chief spokesperson, Rafi Mir, while talking to The News Now said, "It was a clash between general public and not between PDP and BJP. I didn't know exactly about the incident, but I have heard about it."
When asked about BJP MLA's statement, he added, if such thing has happened, then why are they in coalition. But I don't know what he said."
Following this, the BJP's chief spokesperson, Sunil Sethi said, "It is a serious issues as BJP workers were attacked by some persons. Now, we are confirming if the accused were PDP members. If proved then definitely BJP will take up the matter with PDP leadership for appropriate action."
The Rajouri SSP, Yougal Manhas informed that two separate FIRs have been registered in this clash on the written complaints submitted from both the sides. In the first complaint, case vide FIR No. 37/18 under sections 147/323 RPC is registered at Police Station Nowshera on the complaint of Chhotu Ram Choudhary, a relative of PDP MLC Surinder Choudhary, who submitted his resignation from MLC's position to party president and CM Mehbooba Mufti yesterday.
In the second complaint, a Case FIR no. 38/18 U/S 147/323 RPC on the complaint of Bhadur Singh Sarpanch Kalsiyan, a supporter of BJP MLA Ravinder Raina. Meanwhile situtation in Nowshera remained tensed after the clash.