Kashmiri Pandit outfits for CBI probe into Kishtwar violence

Several Kashmiri Pandit organisations have condemned the communal violence in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district in which two people were killed and over 30 others got injured and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

The All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC), a conglomerate of several displaced Kashmiri Pandit outfits, criticized the state's Home Minister Sajjad Kitchloo and accused the district administration of inaction.

"We strongly condemn the Kishtwar communal violence triggered due to the inaction of district administration... and demand immediate dismissal of Kitchloo and ordering of CBI probe into the circumstances that led to large scale violence in Kishtwar district yesterday," said APMCC Chairman Vinod Pandit in a statement.

The All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, which also called for severe action against senior state police officials, demanded providing weapons to the minorities in Kishtwar for their safety.

The Omar Abdullah Government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the Kishtwar clashes. The district, which is located 230 km north of Jammu, continues to be under curfew for the second day today.

Earlier on Friday, a group of people, raising anti-national slogans after the Eid prayers, were attacked by another section of people in Kuleed area leading to tension.

During the clashes, police and paramilitary forces used batons and teargas to disperse mobs. The army was called in to help control the situation.