Top officials rush to Kishtwar, review situation
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 28: Ongoing situation in Kishtwar in the wake of latest killing of RSS top functionary Chanderkant Sharma and his PSO Rajinder Kumar today took major turn when police arrested former Minister Sunil Sharma, Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) Kishtwar, president, Hans Raj Bhutyal and six others in connection with yesterday’s violence in which mob had attacked and damaged the office of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana in protest against administration’s failure to prevent killings of the leaders of minorities and arrest accused even after 19 days of the latest assassinations.
The arrests were made today, SSP Kishtwar Shakti Pathak told the Excelsior.
Those arrested have been identified as Sunil Sharma, former Minister and ex-BJP MLA from Kishtwar, Hans Raj Bhutyal, president, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Kishtwar, Pradeep Singh, Rajinder Singh, Vinod Kumar, Lalit Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Brij Mohan Sharma and Ghulab Chand, all prominent leaders of Sabha and its affiliated bodies.
They have been booked under Sections 147, 148, 149, 447-A, 452, 453, 336 and 3 Public Property Damages Act.
They were lodged in Kishtwar police station, where a case has been registered against them.
Prior to these arrests, police arrested two youth, who were also involved in attack on the office of the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar. As news about the arrests spread, the BJP and Sanatan Dharam Sabha leaders took to streets and offered themselves for arrest as police had already registered a FIR against them for yesterday’s violence in which they had targeted the office of the DC Kishtwar describing him as “inefficient”.
Police took into custody the BJP and SDS leaders when they offered themselves for arrest after holding a protest demonstration in the town.
Sunil Sharma told the Excelsior on telephone from custody in Kishtwar police station that their voice can’t be cowed down by the arrests,
Sharma said their demands included immediate arrest of the killers of BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajit Parihar, RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma and his PSO Rajinder Kumar, protection to minorities, crackdown against anti-national elements, reshuffle in district administration and an end to harassment of youth from the minorities.
“While police haven’t been able to arrest any of the killers wanted in assassination of Parihar brothers and the RSS leader, they have arrested us for protesting against inefficient Deputy Commissioner,” Bhutyal said, adding their peaceful protests against the administration seeking immediate arrest of the killers would continue.
Even after 19 days of the killings of Chanderkant Sharma and his PSO, night curfew from 10 pm to 4 am remained in force in Kishtwar town.
Police said the charges against all arrested leaders of BJP and Sanatan Dharam Sabha were non-bailable and they had to approach the Court for bail.
“We have decided to present ourselves for voluntary arrest to protest the crackdown and harassment of our youth after the minor incident which was the result of anger over the failure of the administration to arrest the culprits behind the gruesome killings and take necessary steps to restore confidence of the people,” Sharma said.
Police, however, maintained that they were arrested.
Sunil Sharma, who also participated in the rally taken out from Char Chinar to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, warned the administration of “serious consequences” if it “continues with the harassment of the SDS members and youths on the pretext of investigation”.
“Militancy is going on for the last many years in the State and the militants are getting killed but what we are facing here is militancy from the administration,” he alleged.
“Nineteen days have passed since the martyrdom of RSS leader but no one from the Governor administration visited the community. We have made several demands such as setting up of police pickets and fencing of the hospital,” Bhutyal said, alleging that no action was taken so far.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by SDS State president Bodh Raj Sharma in Jammu said for the last few days people had been protesting in Kishtwar on issue pertaining to killings of Parihar brothers and senior RSS functionary Chander Kant Sharma by the terrorists.
“During one such protest on April 27, which was planned to be peaceful and large number of women and children were also participating, unfortunately some elements in flow of sentiments and anger burnt the effigy of Governor Satya Pal Malik and other acts which Sanatan Dharam Sabha never intended nor approve. Our fight is against terrorism which is destructive for the nation”, the handout said.
“We further request people to maintain peace and stand with administration to fight against the terrorism”, it added.
While Parihar brothers were martyred on November 1, 2018, Chanderkant and his PSO were killed on April 9. The case pertaining to the killings of Parihar brothers has been handed over to the NIA. No breakthrough has been made so far in both the terror attacks.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma and Inspector General of Police, Jammu, MK Sinha rushed to Kishtwar and held high-level review of security situation with top officials of the district administration today.
They convened a joint meeting with officers of civil and police administration, Army and CRPF to review law and order situation in the aftermath of killing of RSS leader Chander Kant Sharma and his PSO at District Hospital Kishtwar.
Deputy Inspector General of Police DKR Range Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, besides officers from Police, CRPF, Army and civil administration were present in the meeting. SSP Kishtwar Shakti Pathak and Additional SP Nassir Khan also attended the meeting.
The IGP elaborately presented the security scenario in the district during the meeting.
The DC briefed the meeting about the present law and order situation in the district.
Later, Divisional Commissioner and IGP visited DC Office Kishtwar and took stock of damage caused to Government property by the mob during a procession there.
Verma directed the Health Department to keep necessary stock of emergency medicines available besides ensuring proper functioning of machines and healthcare equipments in the district hospital.
Meanwhile, DC Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, today suspended two Government officials for taking part in ransacking the DC office complex Kishtwar during a protest here yesterday.
The suspended officials were Satya Bushan Sharma, Teacher, HS Nagbhatna presently attached in Government Girls Higher Secondary School Kishtwar and Tilak Raj, Forester, Nagseni, Range.
The order stated that the erring officials will remain attached in the offices of CEO, Kishtwar and DFO, Kishtwar respectively during the suspension period.
Moreover, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pawan Kumar Parihar, has been appointed as enquiry officer for conducting a detailed enquiry into the matter and furnish the report within next 15 days.
Meanwhile, demanding arrest of culprits behind killing of RSS leader and Parihar brothers in District Kishtwar, the Sanatan Dharam Sabha Jammu also held protest, in Jammu today.
The members of SDS Jammu assembled near Ambphalla and raised slogans in favour of their demands. The protestors were demanding arrest of culprits behind killing of RSS leader Chander Kant Sharma, BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajit Parihar. The protestors also raised slogans against the DC Kishtwar.
The Sabha demanded strict action against the anti national elements, strengthening of VDCs, transfer of DC and SSP Kishtwar and handing over Doda and Kishtwar districts to Army.
“If Government failed to address our demands, we will protest in more aggressive manner and for any untoward incident, the Government will be responsible.
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