Under fire over the communal violence in Kishtwar, Minister of State for Home Sajad Kitchloo resigned today even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered a judicial inquiry into the clashes in the district that left three persons dead and 20 others injured.
Fresh clashes erupted today in Hidyal area of Kishtwar district when protesters including women were stopped by police which resorted to cane charge to disperse them.
"I have received Sajaad Kitchloo's resignation asking to be relieved of his responsibilities pending the outcome of the judicial inquiry. The resignation has been forwarded to Governor N N Vohra for acceptance, Omar wrote on micro- blogging site twitter.
The Governor has accepted the resignation, an official statement later said.
Kitchloo, representative of National Conference from Kishtwar Assembly constituency, was inducted in the cabinet early this year.
BJP had demanded that Kitchloo be removed pending an impartial inquiry on his alleged role in the riots in Kishtwar.
Curfew remained in force in six districts of Jammu region amid deployment of Army. Ten people were arrested in connection with the violence in Kishtwar.
However, in Udhampur district, two-hour relaxation was given in the morning which passed off peacefully.
"Curfew continues in several districts of Jammu region," Divisional Commissioner, Jammu region, Shantmanu told PTI.
In the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who is looking after the Home Ministry in the absence of Sushilkumar Shinde, described the overall situation as tense but under control.
Centre will extend all help to the state government to maintain law and order, he said, adding, "We will not allow repetition of 1990; we will not allow forced migration."
Chidambaram also defended the state government's decision not allow BJP leader Arun Jaitley to visit Kishtwar.
