Karan Singh Appeals For Communal Harmony in Jammu Kashmir =>Senior Congress leader Karan Singh today appealed for communal harmony following the clashes which broke out between two communities after Eid prayers in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. One person was killed and 14 others were injured, four of them critically, after the incident yesterday. “I have been deeply shocked and grieved at the communal clashes in Kishtwar which have resulted in loss of precious life and considerable damage to property,” Mr Singh said in an official statement. He added that “Kishtwar was part of my parliamentary constituency for 18 years. I appeal to both the communities to desist from violence and re-establish their traditional communal harmony. “I urge the state government to take all necessary steps to secure the lives and property of people in that area, and also institute an inquiry so that miscreants can be identified and brought to book,” Mr Singh added. The Jammu and Kashmir government had already ordered an inquiry yesterday into the incident. The government also ordered closure of all educational institutions today in view of the prevailing situation and announced ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh in favour of the deceased, Arvind Kumar. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer into the incidents of violence and arson and the consequent loss of life and property. The Inquiry Officer will submit his report to the government within a period of three weeks, an official spokesman said yesterday. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in a meeting of civil society last evening had appealed for maintaining peace, harmony and brotherhood and requested not to politicise the issue. He stressed that the priority should be to ensure that the situation is brought under control and also assured that after ascertaining the facts, adequate relief will be provided to the affected.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 15:00:35 +0000