BUDGAM: The violence in some parts of this district that erupted soon after Quran desecration and killings in Gool area was instigated by a single mob which went on rampage and set houses, belonging to both Shia and Sunni Muslims, on fire, eyewitness revealed today.
The violence has affected at least 32 hamlets and left at least 68 persons injured including a woman who is battling for her life at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences.
In Sofipora hamlet alone, 25 residential structures including cowsheds were gutted in 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 said adding that the destruction could have been stopped if administration would have imposed curfew in the nick of time.
Few men donning police uniform carrying and swords in their hands went on rampage in Sofipora. We fail to understand whether they were policemen or civilians. Police is meant for the protection of people but 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 on 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.
A resident from Laribal area told CNS that this village is comprised of both Shia and Sunni population who have been living in harmony from centuries together. 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.
The villages that were hit with the violence included Ghalwanpora, Laribal, Hawkarmola, Sofipora, Babapora, Pymus, Rishipora, Purso, Parisabad, Dadina, Wahapora, Chondpora, Abadpora, Chodhribagh, Shoolipora, Mirgund, Kalaipora, Garned Kalan, Garned Khurd, Chadbuk, Wadwan, Sefdan and Gotapora.
Reports said that a 58 year old woman from Dedina village, identified as Fatima Begum, was critically injured when a man in police uniform hit her head with gunbutt.
She is on life support in the SKIMS.
There were reports of clashes from different parts of the district with people alleging that gun shots and shelling during the dead of night gave them sleepless night.
People told CNS that miscreants snapped water supply to villages like Wadwan,Gothpora and Chadbuk from Wahabpora water supply tank with the result about twenty thousand people are without water from last three days.
Property worth Cores of rupees have got damaged in the ongoing group clashes. Locals alleged that they are living in harmony with each other in their villages and it were outsiders who appear in different villages and create havoc. (CNS)
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