Srinagar:
In a fresh cycle of violence in the Kashmir valley, 17 people have been killed, and at least 45 others have been injured. These deaths are not linked to the violence seen in the past three months, authorities say. The top bureaucrat of the state - Chief Secretary, SS Kapoor - has linked today's violence to allegations that an American desecrated a copy of the Quran. Kapoor said the government respects religious sentiments, and appealed to the public to not be incited by false reports.
"If something happens in New York, we in J&K or India have no way of dealing with it. We believe there's a gameplan behind it. We appeal to the good sense of the people of Kashmir. Please cooperate with the administration. Please don't get excited. Please let us deal with it. We will surely take it up in an appropriate manner," said SS Kapoor. (
Full Statement: J&K govt's condemns alleged act of Quran desecration)
The US has also condemned that latest burst of violence. "News reports have stated that on Saturday, September 11, one misguided individual in the United States desecrated the Holy Quran by tearing pages from it. On behalf of everyone at the US Embassy in India, I condemn such acts as disrespectful, intolerant, divisive, and un-representative of American values. The deliberate destruction of any holy book is an abhorrent act," said Timothy Roemer, the US Ambassador to India.
"We are also dismayed to see reports that a school and a church in Kashmir and Punjab have been attacked and destroyed by rioters. We strongly support local authorities' appeal for calm and an end to the violence," he added.