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Jammu limps back to normalcy

Nearly two days after the attack on the Raghunath temple, Jammu was limping back to normalcy on Tuesday. Although terror still prevailed, the curfew, which was imposed after Sunday's attack, had been lifted.

While educational institutions remained closed, the markets had opened and public transport had resumed.

Soon after the attack, there were fears of communal violence and prominent politicians appealed to the residents to maintain peace.

"Jammu residents have been calm and there have been no communal riots here in the recent past. I had appealed to the people to stay calm and thankfully no untoward incidents occurred," said Ajatshatru Singh, former state minister for tourism, who is also erstwhile ruler Hari Singh's grandson.

Singh fondly remembered the festivities at the Raghunath temple since his childhood.

"It is their [the terrorists'] game plan to communalise the situation in Jammu. That is why they are attacking temples. Things can take a dangerous turn if it continues," Singh told rediff.com

For the residents, the attack on the temple was not only an attack on their faith, but also a blow to their livelihood.

Pilgrims, who go to the Vaishno Devi shrine, are the major source of revenue to Jammu's hotels, transporters and shops. "They want to weaken Jammu's economy. Every time the pilgrims start coming in a big way, there is some attack or the other and business suffers," said Vishal Shastri, head priest of the Raghunath temple.

Vijay Sharma opened his shop on the Residency Road, which is close to the temple, on Tuesday and got down to business. Asked about the attacks, he said, "We don't want all this here. We don't want any communal tension or riots. We just want to live in peace."

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