Omar Abdullah trying to divide people on religious lines, Mehbooba Mufti says

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today accused Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah of "trying to divide people of the state on religious lines".

Condemning Omar's statement regarding those killed in Kishtwar violence, Mufti said, "The unfortunate part is that the chief minister is trying to project the victims of Kishtwar on religious lines. It is unfortunate and condemnable. He can't divide people on religious lines."

The PDP leader also accused the state government of being "selective" in providing compensation to the victims of violence.

"The (process of) compensation being given to victims has been done selectively," she alleged.

Mufti also criticized the chief minister for calling an all party meeting in Jammu without the leader of the main Opposition party.

"The chief minister has called an all party meeting, but I cannot understand what is the meeting about, when leader of the main Opposition party of the state is not there. The decision of the meeting was taken last night, but we were informed today at the last moment," she said.

She took on the BJP for "enacting a drama" in the Parliament and added, "More than 120 youths were killed in 2010, but BJP never demanded any action. Whatever happened in Parliament today, it has not given a good message to the people of Kashmir."

Fresh violence in Kishtwar

Fresh clashes erupted in curfew-clamped Kishtwar district in Jammu region leaving 10 people, including an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), injured.

The trouble arose when police stopped protesters from marching to Hidyal area in Kishtwar in defiance of the curfew which remained in force for the fourth consecutive day.

The locals were protesting the arrest of a youth for his alleged involvement in communal violence in Kishtwar.

As clashes broke out, police swung batons and fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

Eye-witnesses said they also fired in the air to disperse the protesters.

ASP Kulbir Singh and a selection grade constable were among six people injured in the clashes.

Last night, four policemen were injured in Shalimar area in Kishtwar when unidentified persons attacked their vehicle and set it on fire, officials said.

The attackers also took away 10 wireless sets, they said.

"Ten miscreants have been arrested in connection with the Kishtwar violence and the process of further arrests is on," State's home commissioner Suresh Kumar told PTI.