Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Parliament Member Karan Singh today expressed shock over the communal clashes in Kishtwar and appealed to both the communities to desist from indulging in violence.
In a statement, Singh said he was "deeply grieved at the communal clashes which have resulted in loss of precious life and considerable damage to property."
A four-time Lok Sabha Parliament member, Singh, who was the first Sadar-e-Riyasat (the Governor) of the state after Jammu and Kashmir joined India after Independence, said "Kishtwar was part of my Parliamentary constituency for 18 years. I appeal to both the communities to desist from violence and re-establish their traditional communal harmony."
Singh, a former Union Cabinet Minister, also appealed to the state government to take all necessary steps to secure the lives and property of people living in that area and also institute an inquiry so that miscreants can be identified and brought to book.
Two persons were killed and over 20 injured when members of two communities had clashed yesterday prompting the state government to impose curfew and seek assistance of the army.
The government has instituted an inquiry by Divisional Commissioner of Jammu to go into the reasons leading to the clashes and submit his report within three weeks.
