One dead, 24 hurt in communal violence

IANS/JammuOne person was killed and over 24 injured in clashes between two communities in Kishtwar town of Jammu region on Eid-al-Fitr yesterday after about 500 villagers raised pro-independence slogans.The mobs torched over two dozen shops, some vehicles, a petrol pump and government offices before the army was called in to clamp an indefinite curfew in the town.Police sources said members of the mobs fired at each other, in which one person was critically injured and later died.“Neither security forces nor the army fired at the mobs. Two columns of the army were moved in after the situation turned ugly. The town is calm now after an indefinite curfew was imposed,” a police officer said.Immediately after reports of the communal clashes, state director general of police (DGP) Ashok Prasad, commissioner (Home) Suresh Kumar and additional DGP (co-ordination) P L  Gupta rushed to Kishtwar to take stock of the situation and supervise law and order.Police exercised caution, using only batons and tear gas shells to disperse the rioters, who continued to indulge in violence despite police intervention.On the district administration’s request, two columns of the army were deployed.The trouble started early yesterday when around 500 people from Hullar, Bandna, Punoo and Bhata villages took out a procession in Kishtwar town, 220km from winter capital Jammu, raising pro-independence slogans.This prompted members of another community to pelt stones at the procession at Kulid chowk in the town. As the news of the clashes spread many people joined the violence.The BJP has sought immediate action and central intervention in tackling the communal violence that broke out in Kishtwar town.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh yesterday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while Lok Sabha leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take action.Rajnath Singh, in a comment on Twitter, said he raised the issue with the prime minister and was assured the situation would be brought under control soon.“Had a telephonic conversation with the PM Dr Manmohan Singh regarding outbreak of violent clashes in Kishtwar district of Jammu region. The PM assured me that the situation would be quickly brought under control as the army has been called out in Kishtwar (sic),” tweeted the BJP president. “I have checked on Kishtwar. Many injured. Houses and shops burnt. Please do something immediately,” Swaraj told Abdullah via Twitter. In his reply, Abdullah said: “Injuries and damage on both sides. Situation is being brought under control. Adequate forces sent.“I am not referring to any side. Everyone injured there is a Hindustani,” Sushma Swaraj said in reply.