SRINAGAR: Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, Jammu and Kashmir, minister of state for home, resigned on Monday four days after Hindu-Muslim clashes broke out in his hometown and constituency, Kishtwar.
Addressing a media conference, Kitchloo said that he had submitted his resignation to the state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
While announcing his resignation, the minister questioned Hindu radical party BJP’s moral right to demand his resignation saying,“Did Narendra Modi resign on Gujarat riots?”
“Certain unfortunate incidents have happened in Kishtwar which I unreservedly condemn. The chief minister has ordered a judicial enquiry by a retired high court judge to unravel truth. Truth must come out, culprits must be identified and those responsible should be punished,” Kitchloo said in a statement.
“My conscience does not allow me to continue as a minister till the probe is completed.” Official sources here said the chief minister forwarded Kitchloo’s resignation to the state governor, N.N.Vohra who has accepted it.
And on Monday angry residents including a good number of women defied curfew restrictions and clashed with security forces deployed in Kishtwar town to enforce curfew and maintain calm. Police sources said four policemen were injured in Monday’s clashes which followed arrest of some persons in the violence hit town. The clashes have so far claimed three lives and left several others wounded besides huge loss of property in arson.
The chief minister who is camping in Jammu reviewed the situation at a high level meeting.
The meeting discussed various measures relating to the rehabilitation of the people affected in the clashes between the two groups.
It was decided in the meeting to sanction immediate relief to the maximum of rupees 2 lakh each to those whose houses have been damaged or gutted and shops looted during the unfortunate clashes in various areas of Jammu Division.
Meanwhile curfew continues in Jammu city, Kishtwar and other towns without any break. Indian army soldiers are patrolling the curfew bound towns to maintain law and order. The Jammu Srinagar national highway continues to remain closed for traffic.
India’s Kashmir minister resigns
