Even as Kishtwar remained tense and Jammu saw a complete shutdown on Saturday, a conspiracy theory brought Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kitchloo under a cloud. Congress MlC Naresh Gupta has accused the National Conference Minister of masterminding the attack on the minority population, as reported by the locals.
The State BJP also demanded Kitchloo’s sacking and extending its bandh call by another 48 hours.In a late night development, the district administration decided to impose curfew in Jammu following fresh tension in the old city.
The party has sought suspension of DIG (Doda range) and the Kishtwar SP, besides registration of an FIR under Section 302 against rioters. leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley is expected to visit Jammu and Kishtwar on Sunday to review the situation.
The Bar Association in Jammu has also sought an investigation. Kitchloo runs a gun shop in Kishtwar and it is alleged that his shop was either allowed to be looted or was thrown open for rioters before the situation took an ugly turn after Eid prayers.
Meanwhile, the death toll has gone up to two, with the recovery of another charred body. After a post-mortem, the police have handed over the bodies to relatives. Unconfirmed reports on Saturday claimed that at least three persons were injured in a fresh clash in Paddar area of Kishtwar.
Gupta, who hails from Bhaderwah, said, “All this happened in the presence of Kitchloo in Kishtwar. His role should be thoroughly probed. From where did the rioters get hold of guns and who provided arms to the mobIJ Why was curfew not imposed and implemented effectively in time to prevent loss of life and propertyIJ” He also demanded a judicial probe by a high court judge.
Government sources said Kitchloo turned down suggestions to impose curfew, saying he was not keen on it on first Eid after he became Minister. Sources also claimed that deployment of Army was delayed as the Deputy Commissioner and other senior officers were present with Kitchloo and could not complete the necessary paper work in time.
Congress MP (from Udhampur-Doda constituency) lal Singh targeted the Omar Abdullah Government and urged the Congress top brass to intervene. He alleged, “No rule of law existed for over six hours in Kishtwar when commercial establishments and houses belonging to the minority community were attacked by rioters.”
Throughout the day, angry demonstrations against the State Government were in evidence, with burnt effigies and road blocks. The Walled City area saw pitched battles between the forces and protesters, despite heavy deployment.
The Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot national highways were blocked and a high-level BJP delegation proceeding towards Kishtwar was forced to stop at Batote by the State Government. Peaceful protests were also reported from Kathua, Samba, Hira Nagar, Udhampur, Reasi, Katra, Bari Brahmana, RS Pura, Akhnoor, Rajouri, Poonch, Sunderbani and Bisnah areas.
As a precautionary measure, the annual Machail yatra in Kishtwar was also suspended for three days while pilgrims for the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra also faced hardships.
PRO of the Jammu range IGP said, “Normal life was hit in Jammu and adjoining districts. All shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was totally off roads in Jammu city.”
late in the evening there were clashes between groups of two communities in Rajouri and the district administration was forced to clamp curfew in the area. There were no reports of any casualties till the report went to press.