The members of the minority community in Kishtwar continued with their shutters down for the third consecutive day on Friday even after the State Government-sponsored peace deal was brokered between the members of the two communities by the all-party delegation sans the BJP and the Panthers Party.
On the other hand some of the minority community members alleged that a few ‘real’ owners of the shops belonging to the majority community have started threatening them to vacate their shops if they were not keen on running their businesses. In panic, some of the shopkeepers threatened to migrate from Kishtwar if they were subjected to further harassment.
Meanwhile in the run-up to the Janmashtami celebrations, the volatile situation in Kishtwar town is keeping the district police and other authorities on their tenterhooks. The district administration has lifted the day time curfew but strict restrictions continue to remain in place during the night. The members of both the communities are yet to regain their confidence due to growing trust deficit.
The main markets continue to wear deserted looks and scanty traffic is visible on the streets. The banking services have been hit hard and the general suppliers are yet to start supplies in the area. The pilgrims heading towards Machail yatra are feeling the pinch as they failed to get refreshment en route arduous journey in Paddar area of Kishtwar.
Failure on the part of the district police authorities to recover the weapons (12 bore guns) looted from the gun shop of National Conference MlA Sajjad Kitchoo on August 9 is also giving sleepless nights to majority of people in the security establishment.
According to official sources, out of 41 guns which were looted the police teams have so far recovered only 10 guns and booked at least six people in this connection.
Intelligence agencies have also warned about the possible misuse of guns and large quantity of ammunition looted during violence after the Eid prayers by anti-national elements to stoke violence in the sensitive district.