KL Report
Srinagar
Government on Wednesday imposed strict restrictions in central Kashmir’s Budgam district following a group clashes and to prevent situation from further deterioration.
Official sources told KNS that restrictions has been imposed in some parts of the district on the last night and authorities deployed hundreds of paramilitary CRPF troopers and policemen wearing riot gear in major and small lanes and by-lans of Budgam.
Senior Police official told KNS that curfew was imposed to bring the situation under control and prevent the clashes from spreading to nearby areas, sources said.
“Although no fresh clashes have taken place in the curfew bound areas, tension continues to prevail which has left the authorities with no option but to clamp the restrictions,” official said.
The bunker vehicles were parked at major junctions while concertina wires were laid to stop the movement of people on the roads and entry points.
Sources said that so far scores of people have been injured in the clashes and properties torched by violent mobs following sectarian clashes in the area.
They said at least a dozen houses were set on fire, resulting in extensive damage to the property. Violence broke out in Sabdan, Galwanpora and Reshipora villages of Budgam on Friday night following dispute between two sects over construction of a village road.
Police had roped in community and religious leaders and prominent political activists to defuse the tension which prevailed in the area after sectarian clashes.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shailender Kumar and DC Budgam leade a team of officials visited the violence-hit areas to ascertain the situation.
Talking to KNS, DC Budgam Khursheed Ahmad Shah said that the high-level team visited areas of Sahahpora, Solipora, Gandoosa, Paimus, Alipora and Khomani Chowk. “Earlier in the day, we also held a meeting with army, police, and members of civil society participated besides the local prominent and respected persons of the society.”
Divisional commissioner Kashmir Shailender Kumar told KNS that restrictions have been imposed to prevent clashes and said that situation is under control and no fresh clashes have taken place in the district.
“We are expecting the situation to return to normal in next couple of days,” he said.
Meanwhile according to JKLF spokesman Chairman (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik led a peaceful March in Budgam district on Wednesday and urged people to maintain calm.
Geelani And Salahudin Appeals For Peace
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani has asked the Muslims of the Budgam District to stop the Sectarian clashes, which are spread in some parts of the District. These clashes are being encouraged by the secret agencies to divert the attention of the people from the uprising against the desecration of the Holy Quran.
Expressing serious concern over the clashes between two sects of people in central Budgam district, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Chief Commander Syed Salahudin on Thursday urged people to maintain calm and traditional harmony.
“Agencies are hell bent to create wedge among Muslims as it weakens our freedoms struggle,” Salahudin was quoted as saying by Hizb spokesman, Salim Hashmi in a telephonic statement to
KNS.
“Salahudin also condemned the unfortunate incident and urged people to maintain calm,” he said, adding, “He also appealed Ulema and civil society members to play their role in maintaining traditional harmony.”
