Despite peace rally, minorities keep shops closed in Kishtwar

Traders here belonging to the minority community refused to open their shops for business today even as authorities continued with relaxations in the curfew imposed in the town in the wake of recent communal clashes.
A joint march for peace by members of the Hindu and Muslim communities was organised here yesterday by an All-Party delegation.
The All-Party delegation was headed by state Cabinet minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din to ease the tensions in the area following communal clashes there on August 9.
But, not only did the march prove of little impact, the Traders' Association here is now likely to expel its president Rakesh Kumar Gupta for having participated in it without obtaining consent from the body, a businessman here said.

"They (traders) are holding an emergent meeting in which Gupta, the president of their association, would likely be expelled for having participated in the peace rally without taking their consent," said Kaushal Kumar, a trader.
Meanwhile, authorities decided to continue relaxing the curfew in Kishtwar as there have been no reports of any untoward incidents.