Budgam, July 26: The group clashes that erupted in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district soon after Ramban bloodbath has affected at least 32 hamlets. The clashes have left 68 persons injured including a woman who is battling for life at SKIMS. A resident from Laribal area told CNS that this village is comprised of both Shai and Sunni population who have been living in harmony for centuries together. All the villagers from both the sects were shocked to see strangers appearing in the village and setting houses on fire randomly. The mob from outside set the houses belonging to both sects on fire,” he said. Police sources told CNS that at least 150 persons were arrested and lodged in Central Jail Srinagar for their alleged involvement in sectarian violence. In Sofipora hamlet alone, 25 structures including cowsheds were gutted in group clashes which left hundreds of people homeless. “My three storey residential house was set on fire by vandals though we had played no role in these clashes. I wonder why these few goons set my house along with others on fire,” one of the residents of Sofipora told CNS adding that the destruction could have been stopped if administration would have imposed curfew in time. “A few men carrying swords in their hands went on rampage in Sofipora. They were destroying the houses, beating people and smashing window panes of vehicles,” an elderly person said. Frenzy mob went on rampage in Babapora and set fives houses on fire. “We could not comprehend anything till we saw our houses in flames. Frenzy mob was equipped with swords, iron rods, sticks and chains,” another resident told CNS. “We were shocked to see the frenzy mob taking away our cattle and other belongings. They were looters and made inroads in every village to loot the cattle, cash and other belongings,” said a resident from Babapora Budgam. The villages that were hit with violence included Ghalwanpora, Laribal, Hawkarmola, Sofipora, Babapora, Pymus, Rishipora, Purso, Paresabad, Dedina, Wahabpora, Chandpora, Abadpora, Chodhribagh, Shoolipora, Mirgund, Kalaipora, Garnad Kalan, Garnad Khurud, Chadbuk, Wadwan, Sefdan and Gotapora. Reports said that one woman from Dedina village identified as Fatima Bano was critically injured when miscreants hit her with a rod when she was trying to save her belongings during the riots. There were reports of clashes from different parts of the district as people alleged that gun shots and shelling during the dead of night gave them sleepless nights. People told CNS that miscreants snapped water supply to villages like Wadwan, Gothpora, Chadbuk. Miscreants snapped the water supply from Wahabpora water supply tank, with the result about twenty thousand people are without water for last three days. Eyewitnesses told CNS that last night the clashes occurred in five villages. “Soon after the night prayers, miscreants tried to storm the two villages situated between Wadwan and Chadbuk, but timely intervention of Army stopped them. Army resorted to aerial firing to disperse the mob,” he said. Property worth crores of rupees has been damaged in the clashes. Locals alleged that they are living in harmony with each other in their villages and it were outsiders who appeared in different villages and created havoc
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 23:02:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015