SRINAGAR: Expressing serious concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the holy month of Ramzan witnessed a lot of blood spilling.
Talking to reporters here, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the situation in the state has been developing very dangerously for some time.
To recount only the most recent incidents, the holy month of Ramzan saw a lot of blood spilling.
Gool witnessed killings in cold blood by police and security forces.
Just ahead of Ramzan, two innocents were killed in Markundal Sonawari, Ms Mufti recalled.
She said Budgam went through a very harrowing times as a result of sectarian clashes. And now it is Kishtwar and rest of the Jammu province.
If first years of the present government were marked by strife in Kashmir, the government has managed to engulf Jammu into communal fire towards its finale, she charged.
The PDP Chief said reports from Kishtwar and other places in Jammu province are highly disturbing. Death toll in communal clashes is mounting.
“We received the information early this morning of another person Lasoo, resident of Kaijai Padder, being killed, she said, adding that his body has been recovered.
He was reportedly shot dead, she informed. The Village Defence Committee (VDC) members who should have been disarmed as part of normalisation, continue to be a source of tension, she said.
The mountainous region continues to be on boil after Eid violence which has been attributed to the failure of administration to act in time, Ms Mufti charged.
She said in rest of the Jammu province, things have taken a turn for the worse since yesterday. There have been reports of violence between communities. Some places of worship have been targeted and in Jammu city miscreants were attacking people till past midnight, she expressed concern.
She said the administration failed completely with rumours of casualties and destruction of properties creating panic. Ms Mufti said in Rajouri there was an attack on a place of worship before clamping of curfew.
In some areas of the district passengers were beaten up after dragging them out of vehicles. Similar attacks on passengers were reported from Reasi where curfew has also been imposed, she added.
“We planned to visit Kishtwar and possibly other riot-effected areas in Jammu. The purpose of the visit was to help restore confidence between the communities and express solidarity with the victims of violence,” she informed.
“We hoped to contribute positively in the restoration of peace. But quite brazenly, the government has extended the house arrest formula to the elected representatives also after having meted out the same treatment to others for the last five years,” she charged.