Even after submitting his resignation from the post of MoS Home, National Conference MlA from Kishtwar Sajjad Kitchloo on Tuesday contradicted the statement made by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on behalf of the Home Minister in the lok Sabha on the Kishtwar violence.
Interacting with mediapersons in his personal office chamber here in Jammu, amid strict curfew restrictions, Kithcloo claimed that the information that worshipers were raising anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans was wrong as they were only raising religious slogans.While making the statement in the lok Sabha on Monday Chidambaram had stated that a group of worshipers while proceedings towards the Chowgam in a procession were raising Pro-Azadi slogans and near Kulheed Chowk they had an altercation with an individual which led to the clashes in which two civilians were killed and 29 others were injured.
In Jammu, Kitchloo repeatedly said these slogans were being raised here since last 22 years. “There is nothing new in it. No one including Hindus and Muslims take note of these slogans and posters here in Kishtwar. They all know the truth,he claimed.Meanwhile, large number of local businessmen who have suffered huge losses during unabated violence in Kishtwar for about eight hours on August 9 told The Pioneer over phone that immediately after the clashes between the members of the two communities broke out in Kishtwar some of them had personally visited Dak Bunglow where MoS Home Sajjad Kitchloo was camping along with DC and SSP.
“We had virtually pleaded before him with folded hands to intervene and save our shops from being attacked and looted away but instead of helping us, Kitchloo kept telling us we are going to deploy additional force to control the violence.”The businessmen who owned shops on Shahidi road told The Pioneer, “Initially when the trouble started in Kishtwar, we all went home after downing our shutters around 10.30 am.”
The shopkeepers said after some time as violence spread to other areas the violent mob attacked SSB camp near Kulheed chowk and started looting shops of minority community. “The MoS Home along with the DC and the SSP kishtwar were camping in Dak Bunglow which was merely 100 metres away. As our shops were attacked we rushed for help and pleaded before MoS Home to intervene and rush forces”.