Curfew in Kashmir town for third day following clashes

SRINAGAR: Curfew continued to remain imposed in parts of Bandipora district in north Kashmir for the third day on Wednesday following sectarian clashes three days ago in which four persons were injured.

"Curfew continues to remain in force in Inderkoot and Sumbal areas of Bandipora district due to law and order problems," a police spokesman said.

The curfew was imposed on Monday after sectarian clashes broke out in Inderkoot area of Sumbal town, 40 km from Srinagar.

Of the four persons injured in the clashes, three were wounded when the security personnel guarding the house of political activist Abdul Rehman Kawoosa in Sumbal allegedly opened fire to control a mob that was pelting stones on Monday evening.

While two persons received bullet injuries, another man was injured in stone pelting.

Sectarian clashes broke out in Inderkoot village in Sumbal town on Sunday in which one person was injured and a house was partially damaged in arson.

The clashes erupted after a youth belonging to a minority Muslim sect was allegedly severely injured in a thrashing by a youth from the majority sect following an altercation.

Members of the minority sect went on a rampage and allegedly set fire to the kitchen of the house belonging to a member of the majority sect.

Curfew was imposed to bring the situation under control and prevent the clashes from spreading to nearby areas, sources said.

Although no fresh clashes have taken place in the curfew bound areas, tension continues to prevail which has left the authorities with no option but to clamp the restrictions for an indefinite period, officials said.