Asif Iqbal Naik
Kishtwar, Sept 15: After arriving at Kishtwar on Saturday in connection with the inquiry into August 9 Kishtwar violence that resulted into the killing of three persons, beside wide spread loot and arson of public and government property, retired Justice R C Gandhi today conducted an extensive tour of different parts of Kishtwar and its adjoining areas and assessed damages caused in Kishtwar communal clashes.
Justice Gandhi along with IG Jammu Rajesh Kumar, DC Kishtwar Baseer Khan, former DC Kishtwar Saleem Mohammad Chowdhary, DIG DKR Ashkoor Wani, former SP Kishtwar Dr. Sunil Gupta, SP Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal, Additional SP Kishtwar Thakur Kulbir Singh and other officials of police and administration inspected the site of Kuleed Chowk from where the clashes first broke out, beside inspecting the epicenter of clashes Justice Gandhi also visited Dak Banglow chowk, Malik market, Shaheedi Road, DSB road, Police Station chowk, Amar Market, Hidyal Chowk and hotel at Sarkoot where maximum damages were caused to public property in wake of aftermath of communal clashes.
Justice Gandhi also visited the sites where Bashir Ahmed Moochi was burnt alive and Arvind Raj Bhagat was shot dead. After visiting the sites of communal clashes, Justice Gandhi left Kishtwar in the afternoon. As per the sources Justice Gandhi returned to Jammu and will return back in next two to three days. The sources added that state government is likely to give two weeks extension to the commission since as per government order only a little over one week was left for him to submit the inquiry report to the government. During his less than 24 hour stay at Kishtwar, Justice Gandhi held a detailed meeting with police and officials of District administration. Former Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Saleem Mohammad Chowdhary and outgoing SP Kishtwar Dr. Sunil Gupta briefed the inquiry Commission about the situation and arrangements made thereafter by the police and administration. However both the officers will depose before the commission in detail later.
Meanwhile MLA Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo arrived at Kishtwar late last night for the first time after he resigned from council of ministers on August 13. Kichloo arrived in the town to attend a marriage. During his stay in the town, Kichloo only visited the house of Bashir Ahmed Sheikh at Sangrabata Kishtwar to condole his death, and mostly stayed inside his home. Deceased Bashir Ahmed sheikh who died few days ago was a staunch National Conference worker and close friend of former minister late Bashir Ahmed Kichloo, Father of Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo. Like former DC and SP, Kichloo is also like to depose before the inquiry commission to clear his position and allegations leveled against him by opposition parties during a debate in both Houses of Parliament. |
