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| Minority community in Kishtwar needs to be reassured | | | MINCING
NO
WORDS
Neha
Jammu, Aug 25: The group of ministers and the All-Party delegation, which visited the bloodied Kishtwar between August 17 and 20 to break the deadlock, have failed to restore the confidence of the minority community in the system. Even the NC-managed (truncated) peace march has failed to iron out difference between the two communities. This is evident from the fact that the minority community continues to observe bandh despite curfew relaxation from time to time.
On August 23, the day curfew relaxed in three shifts in strife-torn Kishtwar town, but the traders of minority community did not open their shops and other business establishments. The day passed off peacefully. Traders belonging to the minority community extended their bandh call for 72 hours to make the authorities concede their demands, including adequate compensation and action against the culprits. Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS), Kishtwar, representing the minority community, expressed dissatisfaction over the proceedings and conduct of the All Party Delegation (APD) and said that "peace rally organized by APD members was nothing more than an eyewash".
On the contrary, traders belonging to the majority community took no time in opening their shops, thus indicating who suffered and who didn't on August 9, when Kishtwar and adjoining areas witnessed what the minority community called "organized attacks on the minority community".
The situation in Kishtwar town remained almost the same the following day, with members of the minority community bemoaning the indifferent attitude of the authorities and making it loud and clear that they would accept anything short of stringent action against the culprits, including certain elements in the local civil and police administration and government. Obviously, they hinted at DIG, Dy SP and former MoS Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo. They said that it was the traders of their community who suffered damage on an unprecedented scale and it was imperative on the part of the authorities not only to provide foolproof security to the minority community and traders but also to give the affected traders compensation which enable them to start their work afresh.
Since the group of ministers and the divided all-party delegation have failed to produce the desired results, it is essential that the government take all the steps which are needed to be taken to reassure the wounded minority community. It should make changes in the local administration, provide security to the minority community and give the affected traders adequate compensation at the earliest. These three steps, besides action against the real culprits, will help restore confidence of the minorities. |
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