Kishtwar tense; 2 killed, 60 injured in group clashes 100 shops Burnt,Property damaged. JAMMU/KISTHWAR 10/Aug: Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town in Jammu region on Friday after about 500 villagers raised pro-independence slogans that led to clashes between two communities in Kuleed area, leaving two persons dead. However, official reports confirmed death of one person and 25 others injured in the clashes on Eid-ul-Fitr. The dead has been identified as Arvind Kumar, son of Des Raj resident of Sangram Batta Kishtwar who suffered gunshot wounds when a group of protestors fired at him near a petrol pump in Kishtwar. He, along with two others, injured in the incident were rushed to the Army hospital in the area where doctors could not save him. The other two were shifted to the Army Command Hospital at Udhampur. In view of the deteriorating law and order situation, the administration called in the army to assist the civil administration but despite patrolling by the army columns clashes continued in the peripheries. The streets of Kishtwar wore ugly scenes with people of two communities attacking each other and indulging in widespread arson or torching shops and vehicles. The trouble erupted this morning after a group of people raised anti-national slogans immediately after Eid prayers, officials and locals said, adding that this led to violent clashes. The communal clashes spread like wild fire in other parts of the district with two groups indulging in stone-pelting, they said, adding at least 25 people were injured. Police and CRPF personnel rushed to the area and used batons and teargas besides firing in the air to disperse the warring mobs gathered in various parts of the district. A list of Village Defence Committee members was drawn up quickly so that the arms given to them could be withdrawn. Amid clashes around 100 shops, one hotel, one petrol tanker and over 15 vehicles including police vehicles were set ablaze by mobs. Report said that clashes continued as administration failed to control situation. Minister of State for Home and local MLA Sajad Ahmed Kichloo is in the town. “We are trying our level best to manage the situation,” Kichloo said, adding “We have sought army help to restore normalcy.” Late in the evening, the government announced an inquiry under Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Shantmanu to probe into the incidents of violence and arson and the consequent loss of life and property that took place in Kishtwar. He has been asked to submit his report within three weeks. Meanwhile, the government has ordered attachment of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Mohammad Sareem, IAS and Superintendent of Police Dr. Sunil Gupta, IPS. While the former has been asked to report to General Administration Department, the latter shall report to Director General of Police. Baseer Ahmed Khan, IAS, Director, Panchayati Raj has been posted as the new Deputy commissioner of Kishtwar while Sanjay Kumar Kotwal, Commandant, JKAP 6th Battalion has been posted as Superintendent of Police. The Divisional Administration has, meanwhile, ordered that all the government and private schools and colleges shall remain closed on 10th August, 2013. The State Government has also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakhs in favour of deceased Arvind Kumar. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah deputed senior state and civil officials including police chief Ashok Prasad to the scene early in the day to monitor the situation. Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kitchloo, who was already in the area for Eid celebrations, could not move out of his Dak Banglow because of the clashes. In protest against the clashes, agitated people held massive demonstrations and blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in Samba district. Long traffic jams were witnessed as the busy Jammu-Pathankot National Highway was blocked by the activists of Saffron parties. Hundreds of activists of Bhartiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Ram Sena, Hindustan Shiv Sena and others assembled at Kachhi Chhawni area in the heart of Jammu city and shouted slogans. The old city observed complete shutdown in protest against the ‘unfortunate’ incident. In Jammu, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Dogra Front took out protest rallies and forced shopkeepers to down shutters. Harshdev Singh, Chairman, National Panthers Party and former Education Minister, condemned the Coalition Government’s failure to control the situation especially in the light of ongoing Machhail yatra. He demanded the dismissal of the government. Late in the evening, a meeting of civil society and representatives of political parties, trade unions ,Chamber of Commerce ,Red Cross Society and prominent citizens was called by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Cabinet Ministers Raman Bhalla and Sham Lal Sharma. Prominent among those present included, MLC Devinder Rana, MLA’s Ashok Khajuria, Chaman Lal Gupta, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Divisional Commisioner Jammu Shantmanu, Deputy Comissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu. DIG Jammu Kathua Range Shekeel Beigh ,SSP Jammu Atul Goel and other senior officers. The meeting was informed that some anti-social elements picked up a fight in Kishtwar in the morning which turned violent and caused disturbances to the large gathering on the occasion of Eid festival and as result of rumour mongering the incident spread to other parts of the city where anti-social elements ‘looted shops and indulged in arson.’ As per the reports one person has died while four persons have been injured during the clashes .The injured have been airlifted to Government Medical College, Jammu for treatment. After listening to the views of various groups, the Deputy Chief Minister made a fervent appeal for maintaining peace and tranquillity. He stressed the need for maintaining law and order and bringing the situation under control. He assured that adequate relief will be provided to the sufferers after assessing the losses. MLA and ex-Minister G.M.Saroori has appealed the people to maintain communal harmony. Meanwhile, minority community in Bhaderwah observed strike against the Kishtwar incident. The agitated protesters blocked the road on Laxminarayan Chowk.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 04:57:57 +0000
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