2013 Kishtwar clashes explained

2013 Kishtwar Communal Clashes
Date:9 August 2013
Place:Kishtwar
Causes:Attempt to create communal disharmony for electoral gains
Side1:Muslims
Side2:Hindus
Side3:Police, Army
Casualties1:4 killed
Casualties2:1 killed
Fatalities:3
Injuries:80

The 2013 Kishtwar Riots, which claimed three lives and injured 80,[1] [2] was a conflict between Muslim and Hindu communities in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The riots occurred in the aftermath of the Eid festival on 9 August 2013, and provoked a significant government lockdown in the Jammu region. Despite that, the government was criticized for not preventing the riots.

Initial clashes

The conflict was orchestrated by the Communal forces by closing the most Sacre day of Eid Ul Adha and instigating the Muslim Men coming for prayers at Chowgan. Free use of Weapons and ammunition from both sides was seen and in this lawlessness many were killed including one person Arvind Bhagat who was hit by bullet fired by unknown person when heavy firing was going for mob dispersal, One muslim person Bashir Ahmed was burnt alive by putting a tyre on his head and pouring petrol on the tire rim and setting him on fire and crowd enjoyed his burning for an hour minutes before he was reduced to ashes. In Padder Tehsil Village Defence Guards of Hindu Community fired about 1000 bullets at Kijaye village having Muslim population injuring dozens of locals. When some injured were taken to Tehsil headquarter for airlifting to Jammu hospital the Hindu mob led by local Hindu leaders crushed head of father of one of the injured youth named Lasaa Khanday and dragged his dead body throughout streets before police took control of situation. one Muslim Gujjar person from Bonjwah who went missing initially was later allegedly confirmed dead by mob while he was on a labour job somewhere in. The riots were instrumental in creating a national furore started when a bike rider was trying to make their way through a procession of Muslims who were going for Eid prayers but they are not given a way out. The Muslims reportedly began a heated argument with bike rider which are Hindu. This soon degenerated into a violent conflict between both religious communities. The riots led to the killing of one Hindus and three Muslim persons. Later, Muslim mobs hearing about killing of youth by Hindu mobs at Padder and Parade ground moved through the market area, setting fire to the shops and homes of Malik's, Qazi’s and other muslim Families which were rented to non muslims. Police were fired on from homes, leading to the confiscation of the weapons of Village Defence Committee members.[3] [4] [5] People involved in the clashes initially threw stones; later, shops and houses were gutted.[6] The situation was handled by the state government, who called in the army. The state government also prohibited the entry of politicians into affected areas, due to fears that the their presence could further inflame tensions.[7]

The riots killed three, left 80 others injured, and gutted over 100 houses and business establishments.[8]

Aftermath

9 August

10 August

11 August

12 August

14 August

15 August

Arrests

As of August 13, 2013, a total of 141 people had been taken into custody, in connection with the incidents.[19] Nearly 40 weapons looted from a Kishtwar arms shop remained missing.[20]

Administrative failure

Administrative failure was cited as the reason for Kishtwar clashes. The Central Security establishment mentioned issues such as:[20]

  1. Low police strength.
  2. Possible failures in assessing the gravity of the situation, related to lack of staff during Eid.
  3. Failure to call in the two companies of Sashastra Seema Bal deployed in the area as reinforcement.
  4. No deployment of CRPF in the district. The CRPF, which had 60 companies in the state to maintain law and order, was called into Kishtwar on only the second day of the riots.

The home ministry had issued an advisory asking the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to prevent violence from spreading further by deploying adequate forces in all parts of the state.

Reactions

The reactions of some politicians are listed below in their original form.

Notes and References

  1. News: Ahmed Ali Fayyaz . Curfew imposed in Rajouri; Jaitley may be sent back from airport . The Hindu. 2013-06-11 . 2013-08-13.
  2. News: Ahmed Ali Fayyaz . Kishtwar clashes: Top cops removed . The Hindu. 2013-08-09 . 2013-08-13.
  3. Web site: Kishtwar clashes. 17 December 2015 .
  4. News: 12 August 2013. Kishtwar violence: Yasin Malik to lead peace march in Srinagar. ANI News. dead. 20 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172759/http://www.aninews.in/videogallery2/14314-kishtwar-violence-yasin-malik-to-lead-peace-march-in-srinagar.html. 23 September 2015.
  5. Web site: Sharma. Arun. Chhibber. Maneesh. Jammu. Batote. 2013-08-11. Kishtwar a tinderbox, region under curfew after clashes. 2018-08-30. The Indian Express.
  6. Web site: 2013-07-19. Kishtwar clashes: govt orders inquiry; transfers DC, SP. dead. Hindustan Times. 2013-08-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20130811050033/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/northindia/Kishtwar-clashes-govt-orders-inquiry-transfers-DC-SP/Article1-1106063.aspx. 11 August 2013.
  7. Web site: Kishtwar riots: J&K minister Kitchloo resigns, maintains he is innocent. 12 August 2013 .
  8. Web site: Sharma. Vivek. 2016-03-11. Sajjad Kitchloo 'masterminded' 2013 Kishtwar communal riots. 2018-08-30. State Times.
  9. Web site: Curfew in Kishtwar amid fresh clashes . https://archive.today/20130811103629/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Jammu%20Sec/Curfew-in-Kishtwar-amid-fresh-clashes/Article1-1106261.aspx . dead . 2013-08-11 . Hindustan Times. 2013-08-10 . 2013-08-13 .
  10. News: Press Trust of India. Amaranth yatra suspended from Jammu over Kishtwar violence. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082702/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-10/news/41268182_1_cave-shrine-amarnath-yatra-kishtwar-district. dead. 5 March 2016. The Economic Times. 2013-08-10. 2013-08-13.
  11. Web site: Kishtwar violence: Arun Jaitley detained in Jammu; Amarnath Yatra suspended. https://web.archive.org/web/20130812235728/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kishtwar-violence-arun-jaitley-detained-in-jammu-amarnath-yatra-suspended/413385-37-64.html. dead. 2013-08-12.
  12. Web site: Indefinite curfew continues for second day in Kishtwar. 10 August 2013 .
  13. Web site: Arun Jaitley prevented from visiting Kishtwar. 11 August 2013 .
  14. Web site: Under cloud, minister goes; officials removed in Kishtwar . The Indian Express. 2013-06-12 . 2013-08-13.
  15. Web site: Kishtwar riots: J&K minister Kitchloo resigns, maintains he is innocent . Firstpost . 2013-05-15 . 2013-08-13.
  16. News: Arun Sharma. Jammu curfew enters 5th day, Amarnath pilgrims stranded. 14 August 2013. The Indian Express. 30 August 2021.
  17. News: Curfew continues in Kishtwar, relaxed in parts of Jammu region. 14 August 2013. The Economic Times. 30 August 2013.
  18. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Curfew-lifted-from-7-districts-relaxed-in-Kishtwar/articleshow/21840916.cms? Curfew lifted from 7 districts, relaxed in Kishtwar
  19. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/19-more-held-in-connection-with-kishtwar-violence/article5019421.ece 19 more held in connection with Kishtwar violence
  20. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Administrative-failure-behind-Kishtwar-riots-Centre/articleshow/21791817.cms Administrative failure behind Kishtwar riots: Centre

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