Protests in Zanskar turns violent, curfew imposed

Kashmir Times. Dated: 7/21/2013 12:52:24 AM

ZANSKAR, July 20 (CNS): Authorities imposed curfew in subdivision Zanskar of Kargil District today when majority Buddhist community after getting enraged over inter-religious marriages set two police vehicles on fire. Agitated Buddhists attacked police station Padum and took scores of policemen as hostage for hours.
A resident of Padum Zanskar told CNS that few days ago a Muslim man Mohammad Khan son of Toib Khan married a Buddhist girl Padma Dolma secretly in Srinagar. “As the word about this inter-marriage spread in the sub-division, Zanskar Buddhist Association approached authorities and the couple was apprehended from Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar City on Friday,” he said.
A police official on condition of anonymity said the couple was taken into custody and during questioning, the girl admitted that she willingly came with the Muslim man to Srinagar and no one forced her for this purpose.
As the word about the arrest of the couple spread in Padum area of Zanskar, hundreds of agitated Buddhists came out on the roads and shouted slogans. Eyewitnesses told CNS that the protestors marched towards Police Station Padum and attacked it. They pelted stones on policemen and set two police vehicles on fire. Agitated protestors resorted to stone pelting and attacked the houses of Mohammad Iqbal and Abdul Aziz.
Soon after the violent protests, authorities imposed curfew in Padum and its adjacent areas. Large contingent of police personnel have been deployed in the area to thwart any further protest attempts by Buddhists.
An official said that situation is under control and policemen have been deployed in strength in the area. “No one would be allowed to disturb the peace in the area,” he said.

 

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