One injured during clashes in Katra over temple desecration

Rumours of temple desecration in Katra has created communal tension in area leading to clashes in which a 65-year-old man and some policemen were injured.
According to locals, Diwan Ali of Kadkiyal Kotla in Katra was critically injured on August 21 after he was hit by a stone allegedly thrown by activists of Shiv Sena.
“Some people are trying to ignite communal tension in the area by spreading rumours about temple desecration. My father has also become a target of these rumour mongers. He has received eight stitches on head,” Muhammad Rafiq, Ali’s son told Kashmir Post over the phone from Katra.
Locals said the rumour about “desecration” of a temple spread like wild fire after some Hindi newspapers published a rumour as news following which hundreds of people led by Shiv Sena activists came out of their homes and started attacking Muslim families.
Soon after getting the report, a contingent of police was rushed to the region to pacify the mob. This led to clashes between security forces and the mob in which some policemen were also injured. The agitators pelted stones at police and security forces.
Rafiq, who is a driver, said the activists of Shiv Sena also threatened hospital authorities at Katra and Bakshi Nagar Hospital of dire consequences if they treat injured persons from the Muslim community.
“Doctors refused to admit my father after they got the threatening calls from a Shiv Sena activist who is a Girdawar. His brother is in the army so people are afraid of him,” he said.
DC Reasi Ravinder Kumar however, refused the claims of communal tension. He said the clashes broke out due a “land dispute” between the two parties.
“We have called both the parties and issue will be resolved soon,” he said.

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