Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: Tension gripped Kishtwar this evening when a ‘Kalsh Yatra’ being taken out by the minorities in the town for ‘Murti Sthapana’ (installation of idols) at Lord Shiva temple at Pushal was stopped by two youths from majority community at Sangram Bhata, who objected to raising of religious slogans by the women.
Two youths—one each from the two communities—were injured in assaults. Police said they have registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) from both the groups against each other for investigations. Local police and Shastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been deployed in full strength in the town to maintain law and order.
IGP Jammu Rajesh Kumar said the matter has been resolved and the situation was fully under control and normal in Kishtwar.
Official sources and eyewitness account revealed that the minorities were taking `Kalsh Yatra’ in Kishtwar town this evening for `Murti Sthapana’ at Shiv Mandir at Pushal when two youths of majority community objected to raising of religious slogans by the women at Sangram Bhata.
The people took strong exception to the behaviour of two youths of majority community. Some of the youths in the `Kalsh Yatra’ beat-up the boy Atil, a local resident of Sangram Bhata, who had objected to raising of the religious slogans.
In the meantime, youths from majority community also gathered and beat-up a youth from minority community identified as Ranmeet Singh Parihar, who was riding on his bike. They also tried to damage his bike but police swiftly took the motor cycle away to police station.
Police diverted the route of `Kalsh Yatra’, which culminated peacefully.
Later, people from both the communities gathered outside Kishtwar police station.
Police said FIRs from both sides have been registered for assaults on the two youths. Copies of FIR Nos. 129 and 130 of 2013 under relevant Sections of law, registered at Kishtwar police station, were given to the two sides late tonight after which the agitated people dispersed.
Senior officers of police have rushed to Kishtwar town. They said situation limped back to normal late in the night after FIRs were registered from both the sides and copies given to the complainants. They said injuries to Ranmeet Singh Parihar and Atil were minor but both of them were admitted to District Hospital, Kishtwar.
Police and SSB have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the town to maintain law and order situation. Police said they called on representatives of both the communities tonight in Kishtwar and appealed them to maintain peace and communal harmony.
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