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| Will Chowgan become symbol of communal amity again? | | Kishtwar yearns for peace | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Kishtwar, Aug 26: People of Kishtwar want to erase the bitter memories of Eid day violence that ravaged the age old communal harmony as early as possible so that they can once again live in atmosphere of mutual trust and peace.
Locals are looking at Chowgan, the most prominent land mark of the town that was reduced into a battlefield on the fateful day to be the symbol of harmony again. Chowgan had been a common ground for Muslims to offer their Eid prayers and Hindus to performChharipujan of Machial yatra.
Many in the town believe that what happened on August 9 could have been avoided if administration through some apt handling of the situation had succeeded in stamping at the spark in time.
While talking to "Early Times" several people directed their anger towards administration. "The Government failed. They did not act in time and imposed curfew," said 70 year old Ghulam Hussian Munshi resident of Shaheedi Mohalla in Kishtwar. He said that people of both the communities were living together in Kishtwar from centuries. He said that the real example of the communal harmony and brotherhood is evident from the marriage of a doctor belonging from minority community, while his Bharat was escorted by the majority community members when the tension was at its peak in Kishtwar town in aftermath of Eid violence.
A prominent lawyer from KishtwarJiaLal Shan also believes that it was the government's inaction that turned a scuffle between two individuals into a communal riot. JiaLal said that if the administration had acted against the two people who were fighting, there would not have been any problem, even if both the guys involved in the scuffle were arrested..
A peacekeeper Abdul MajidBichoo blames the politicians behind the flaring of August 9 incident at National level. "Attempt to politicize the issue further polarized the people and prolonged the issue that could have been sorted out easily" he said.
He also rued the failure of the administration to involve sane voices from both the communities to mend fences.
The government says a judicial probe has already been ordered and it will look into all the allegations of complicity on the part of administration.
Away from politics, in Kishtwar, even the local administration admits that a minor altercation snowballed into a riot and timely action could have controlled the situation.
However, administrative apathy prior to the incident was also a reason for failure to control the situation. For six months, Kishtwar was without a district police chief. On August 9, when violence erupted, Kishtwar had a new officer, who was not familiar with the new situation. In fact, 90 per cent of policemen posted in Kishtwar were local residents who are now accused of inaction by both communities.
The police have already arrested over 15 people including a policeman for inciting riots and are investigating 300 others. Days after the clashes as the town struggles to return to normalcy, strong voices of peace have emerged from the Chowgam ground where violence started on Eid congregation. "My heart is saying that we can live together once again," said MadanLal of Padder. |
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