7/27/2019 Minority Business Community Threatens to Move Out of Kishtwar

1/2

Minority business community threatens to move out of KishtwarAlthough the administration claimed that prompt action had been taken as soon asviolence started, members of the minority community alleged that for nine hours, there was no control on rioters, who indulged in looting and torching their business establishments.

Members of the minority business community in Kishtwar have threatened to move out of the area unless the state government took steps to provide security and pay compensation to them following the communal clashes, which broke out in the town on Eid.

We want security and licenced weapons. The government should also compensate us for our losses in the arson on Friday, said Rakesh Gupta, president of the Kishtwar Chamber of Commerce. Gupta alleged that members of the minority business community had incurred losses of a total Rs 80 crore in the clashes. If the government fails to fulfill our demands, we will migrate away from Kishtwar. We have beenfacing such attacks repeatedly, said Gupta, who lost his garment showroom in thearson.Such clashes are not a new thing for us. We have faced such cases in 1993, 1998,2003 and 2008, but they were of a lesser magnitude, he said.Over 150 small and big business establishments were affected in the clashes, hesaid. But the government will pay compensation of a few lakhs only and that is it, Gupta said.

A total of 68 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles were damaged in the violence which also led to three casualties, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu said.

I have lost my entire business in a fire triggered by miscreants. Its value was over Rs 20 lakh and it was my livelihood, said Khushi Ram Shan, whose two shops dealing with plywood retail and hardware was burnt down on Friday.

Vijay Kumar Parihar, who had recently obtained a loan to set up an eatery, was cursing himself for having opened a business in Kishtwar. My shop was set on fireand my dream project is no more, he said.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Kumar told reporters that there was

no threat of migration. We will take confidence building measures and provide security wherever needed, Kumar had said.

According to local residents, minister of state for Home Sajjad Kitchloo had allegedly masterminded the attack on minority people. A conspiracy theory has brought him under cloud. All this happened when Kitchloo was present in Kishtwar and his role should be probed, Naresh Gupta, the Congress MLC from Bhaderwah, said andadded From where did the rioters get guns? Why was curfew not imposed and implemented effectively on time to prevent loss of life and property.

He questioned Kitchloo for turning down suggestions of the state administrationto impose curfew on Eid day and lashed out at the state government for total administrative failure in dealing with communal clashes in Kishtwar.

There was complete failure of civil and police administration in Kishtwar. Theyhave no liaison with the people. No one was ready to meet them. This had aggravated the tensions and was the major reason for indefinite curfew for five consecutive days, the people said.

Minorities have, meanwhile, decided that no individual or organisation will meetauthorities or any delegation separately. The delegation would meet only underthe aegis of Sanatan Dharam Sabha with representation of all parties and organisations, they said and warned the administration for trying to strike balance whi

7/27/2019 Minority Business Community Threatens to Move Out of Kishtwar

2/2

le making arrests in rioting cases.

Condemning the killing, looting and vandalising of property of minorities in Kishtwar town, State VHP president Dr. Ramakant Dubey had asked that 100% compensation should be provided to the affected persons.

Dubey had also demanded arrest of Shahad Kichloo, son of Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, who was directly involved in instigation and provocation of the mobs during the entire episode. He demanded that a case of conspiring and instigating people should be registered against him.

Talking to Organiser, Dubey blamed that in Jammu, some police persons were inciting the people who were peacefully agitating against this communal violence in Kishtwar, as some of them are surrendered militants who have been inducted in thestate police.

In a bid to repeat 1990 when hundreds of thousand Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their homes and hearths in Kashmir Valley, Omar Abdullah led NC-Congress collision government allowed the antinational elements to raid Hindus in Kishtwar leading to communal tension in Jammu and Kashmir.

(KSK)

http://organiser.org/Encyc/2013/8/18/Minority-business-community-threatens-to-move-out-of-Kishtwar.aspx?NB=&lang=4&m1=&m2=&p1=&p2=&p3=&p4=&PageType=N