Rumor Mill Fueles Tension, Authorities Asleep
SRINAGAR: Police fired in air and lobbed tear gas shells to quell protests in central Budgam town Tuesday. Protests were sparked by widespread allegations of police excesses by a particular section of society.
Earlier an elderly woman was critically injured when a policeman hit her head with the butt of his gun at Dadina village Tuesday morning sparking off protests in already tense district.
Skirmishes have been on between two sections of the society for last three days in Budgam district and police is accused of indifference at some and active involvement at other places by the local residents and leaders.
Reports from Dadina, Pymus, Dontus, Paris Abad and Garend Kalan said policemen broke into houses of a particular community, ransacked them and beat up the inmates.
In Dadina village police broke into houses abusing and beating up inmates without consideration of age and gender, alleged one Syed Muhammad Hussain.
There was tension in the area following a clash between two groups but when we called police for maintaining peace, they arrived and let loose a reign of terror on us, he alleged.
Fatima Begum, a 60 year old lady was hit by gun butt on head and was battling for her life in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura Doctors have described her condition as ‘very critical’.
At least 10 other residents, both men and women, were treated at the District Hospital of Budgam.
Rumors of Fatimas death heightened tension further and in Sehpora village miscreants resorted to arson. Tension across the district, fuelled by different kind of rumors, is palpable, a top district official said.
He said there seems to be a well orchestrated move by certain quarters to fuel the tension between two communities and that was evident from rumor mongering, greatly ignited by uncontrolled social media, like facebook.
Meanwhile religious leaders from both sects are urging people to maintain calm and uphold mutual age old brotherhood.
An extra ordinary meeting was held at the residence of Agha Syed Hassan, a top Shia leader and executive member of Hurriyat Conference. Prominent leaders from both communities, including Mirwaiz of Central Kashmir Maulana Abdul Lateef, leader of Karwani Islami, Maulana Ghulam Rasool Haami, Maulana Abdul Ghani Bhat besides others were present.
The meeting formed a coordination committee by name Majli-se-Tahafuze Iman which later toured various affected areas urging people to “see through the designs of enemy who wanted to divide Kashmiris on sectarian grounds in order to wriggle out itself of Gool crisis”.
A statement by the committee later alleged that the state was actively involved in fanning the strife in Budgam. If state govt could enforce calm following 2010 mass uprising by brute force why was it reluctant to act in Budgam to contain the strife this time, the statement read.
Div Com, IG visit Budgam
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Shailendra Kumar today held a meeting with religious leaders, and senior citizens of Budgam for maintaining peace and harmony among the people in the District, an official spokesman said.
Inspector General Police, Abdul Gani Mir, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Khurshid Ahmed Shah and other District officers were also present in the meeting.
Divisional commissioner expressed concern over the incidence of violence in Bemina and some other areas of Budgam District. He made a fervent appeal to the people to maintain brotherhood and peace and to beware of miscreants who spread rumors to vitiate the atmosphere. It was suggested that these unscrupulous elements need to be identified, isolated and brought to justice. The Divisional Commissioner assured complete support from the administration in bringing peace.
Earlier Story
Leaders Appeal For Calm After Budgam Violence
JeI Appeals For Sectarian Harmony
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