Army called to control violence in Valley

In the wake of arson and rampage during sectarian clashes in parts of central Kashmir district of Budgam army has been called out to control the situation.

Sources told Deccan Herald that army has been called out to assist the civil administration and an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the violence hit district. The Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo said that curfew has been imposed in the district since Tuesday night. “Police and other security forces are patrolling the sensitive areas of the district to restore peace,” he said.

Sources said at least 20 houses were set ablaze in several villages of Budgam since Tuesday while large number of houses and vehicles have been also been damaged in Hakermolla, Sepdan, Dadina, Labertal, Garend, Pymus and Qadipora villages of the district.

The residents of Chattabugh and Wadwan villages alleged that some of the youth wearing army uniform and carrying weapons went on rampage in these two villages, “They broke several house and vehicles in these villages and people fled from these villages due to fear psychosis,” they alleged.

However, the counter-insurgency Kilo Force spokesman Col V K Sharma said that army was not part of it and there have been reports of some gunmen being part of the mobs.

Reports said additional security forces have been rushed to the affected areas to maintain peace as senior officials of police and state administration requested people to maintain calm. Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Inspector General Police Kashmir Abdul Gani Mir who visited the violence hit areas held a meeting with religious leaders, and senior citizens of Budgam for maintaining peace and harmony among the people. The deputy commissioner Budgam said that village level peace committees comprising village heads and senior citizens have been formed to foster peace among different communities across the district.

Violence first broke out in Sabdan, Galwanpora and Reshipora villages of Budgam last Friday following dispute between two sects over construction of a village road.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman and other separatist leaders have blamed intelligence agencies of fuelling the sectarian violence to divert attention from alleged human rights violations.