Jammu:
The tension in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir following Friday's communal clashes has now spread to other adjoining areas. Curfew has been clamped in Jammu and Rajouri districts following incidents of arson and violence and the Army has been called in to help control the situation.
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley is likely to visit Kishtwar today that has been under a curfew since two people were killed and 30 others were injured after rival groups attacked each other on Friday. The violence-hit district continues to remain volatile after fresh clashes were reported on Saturday in which three persons were injured. Even as Army troops in armoured vehicles drove through the streets of Kishtwar town - located nearly 230 kilometres north of Jammu - the local administration advised people to remain indoors and not to violate prohibitory orders.
Normal life has also been hit in Jammu, where a bandh called on Saturday in protest against the Kishtwar clashes, has been extended by 48 hours. The government has also suspended the annual Amarnath yatra from Jammu as a precautionary measure, in view of the bandh.
(Read)The tension has also spilled over to the Valley where a separatist-sponsored shutdown called on Saturday will remain in place today. Shops and businesses remained shut in the state capital of Srinagar on Saturday in response to the strike, with public transport remaining off the roads. Attendance in government offices and banks was also thin, according to officials.
The state government has already ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and has transferred the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Kishtwar district as part of efforts to restore peace in the town.