Authorities have imposed curfew and called out Army to assist the police and civil administration after communal riots broke out in Kishtwar township of Jammu province around the timing of the Eid prayers on Friday.
Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Rajesh Kumar told The Hindu that members of the two communities clashed with each other when Muslims were on way to Eidgah to participate in the congregational Eid prayers. He said that some people have sustained injuries and a number of the properties including vehicles have been damaged in different incidents of arson at district headquarters of Kishtwar and it’s peripheral areas. However, exact details of the damaged caused during the arson were not yet available.
The IGP said that he was rushing to the spot alongwith Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Shant Manu even as DIG Doda Ashkoor Wani had now reached the spot.
“Curfew has been imposed and army has been called out as the rival groups were damaging each others’ properties”, DIG Doda said.
Independent sources said that the clashes triggered off when a group of people marching towards Eidgah came under attack at Kuleed, in Kishtwar outskirts. Two persons sustained injuries in the stone pelting. Soon the communal clashes spread to the main town. Reports said that over 20 vehicles were torched and a number of houses and shops were set on fire.
Riots are going on at seven spots but we have imposed curfew and called out army to control the situation, a district level officer said.
source: thehindu
Tags: Kashmir
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