SRINAGAR/JAMMU: One person was killed and 30 injured as clashes broke out between Hindu and Muslim groups in Chenab Valley's Kishtwar district. Curfew was clamped and Army summoned to assist the local administration in maintaining law and order.
The victim, whose identity was not known, suffered gunshot wounds after a group of protestors fired at him near a petrol pump. He was rushed to the Army hospital, where he died. Two other injured people were taken to the Army Command hospital at Udhampur.
Clashes continued despite Army patrolling the streets, a senior official said. More troops have been requisitioned. Some local Hindus claimed that trougroup of people raised anti-national slogans after Eid prayers in Kuleed area of Kishtwar town.
However, Muslim residents of Kuleed village told ET that hoards of worshippers reciting religious hymns on their way to the prayers to Kistwar's sprawling Chogan grounds from various hamlets were attacked in Kuleed village. Violent clashes on the streets followed. Soon the communal clashes spread like wild fire in other parts of the district and people from the two communities attacked each other and indulged in widespread arson, torching shops and vehicles.
Assertive religiosity has been the hallmark of both communities in this area which has been communally sensitive for decades. Part of the mob attacked local MLA, the minister of state for home, Sajjad A Kichloo, who had come for prayers at the Eidgah, others remained busy fighting in a village home to a local BJP leader. 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A list of Village Defence Committee members was drawn up quickly so that the arms given to them could be withdrawn. Five shops, a truck and a hotel belonging to a kin of an MLC were burnt down in the arson, police said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed senior state and civil officials including police chief Ashok Prasad to rush to the scene and try and control the situation. Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kitchloo was already in the area for his Eid celebrations.
Clashes continued despite Army patrolling the streets, a senior official said. More troops have been requisitioned. Some local Hindus claimed that trougroup of people raised anti-national slogans after Eid prayers in Kuleed area of Kishtwar town.
However, Muslim residents of Kuleed village told ET that hoards of worshippers reciting religious hymns on their way to the prayers to Kistwar's sprawling Chogan grounds from various hamlets were attacked in Kuleed village. Violent clashes on the streets followed. Soon the communal clashes spread like wild fire in other parts of the district and people from the two communities attacked each other and indulged in widespread arson, torching shops and vehicles.
Assertive religiosity has been the hallmark of both communities in this area which has been communally sensitive for decades. Part of the mob attacked local MLA, the minister of state for home, Sajjad A Kichloo, who had come for prayers at the Eidgah, others remained busy fighting in a village home to a local BJP leader. 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. Five shops, a truck and a hotel belonging to a kin of an MLC were burnt down in the arson, police said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed senior state and civil officials including police chief Ashok Prasad to rush to the scene and try and control the situation. Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kitchloo was already in the area for his Eid celebrations.
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