Kishtwar curfew lifted

The curfew imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's hilly Kishtwar town after the Aug 9 communal tension was lifted Wednesday afternoon, the authorities said.

The restrictions were lifted from the town in the Jammu region following a peace march.

An official statement issued here in the evening said: "Breaking the deadlock of past 15 days after the communal clashes that engulfed Kishtwar town, Minister for Medical Education Taj Mohi-ud-Din today convened a joint meeting of leaders of Hindu and Muslim communities and later led a peace march attended by members of the two communities."

"All the issues raised by the leaders of the two communities pertaining to compensation, lifting of the curfew and check on anti-social elements were resolved amicably," the statement said.

The minister was deputed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to head an all-party delegation to restore peace.

"The delegation held deliberations for two days with members and leaders of each community to restore peace and harmony in the town," said the statement.

The all-party delegation, comprising representatives of the ruling National Conference-Congress alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Shiromani Akali Dal and Panthers' Party, had been camping in the town for the last two days.

The peace march held in the town was attended by members of both the communities including traders, intellectuals, political and social workers and students, it said.

The march passed through main markets of the township easing the tense situation prevailing in the town for past about 15 days. The curfew was imposed after a communal flare-up.

In order to facilitate the peace march, the authorities lifted curfew in the town which was not reimposed after the peace march.