File photo: Kishtwar violence
Nearly three weeks after Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of its worst communal clashes in Kishtwar, the state government today told the Supreme Court that immediate steps had been taken to build confidence between the two communities.
In its affidavit that was sought by the top court, the state government said that the situation in Kishtwar was under control, although curfew was in place, with brief periods of relaxation. The town, situated 150 kilometres from Jammu, has been under curfew since August 9 after two people were killed and several others were injured in violence that erupted soon after Eid prayers. The tension later spread to other adjoining areas as well.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the incident, the state government told the court, adding that a compensation of Rs five lakh had been awarded to the families of the victims. Five crores have also been allotted for relief work for those affected by the clashes, it said.
The violence earned the Omar Abdullah government widespread criticism, with the Opposition, led by the BJP, alleging that the state administration failed to act on time, leading to the situation spiralling out of control. The state's junior Home Minister, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, also resigned over the episode after he was accused by the Opposition of having a hand in the incidents.
The volley of accusations soon degenerated into a slanging match with the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 during Narendra Modi's tenure becoming the focus of the blame-game.