The clashes broke out even as the rest of the country was celebrating Eid. The clashes broke out even as the rest of the country was celebrating Eid.

Curfew was imposed in Kishtwar town in Jammu region on Friday on Eid-ul-Fitr after about 500 villagers raised pro-independence slogans that led to clashes between two communities. Two army columns have been deployed in the town.



A police officer told IANS a procession of around 500 people from Hullar, Bandna, Punoo and Bhata villages raised pro-independence slogans in Kishtwar town, 220 km from Jammu.



"Following this, stone-pelting clashes broke out between the two communities at Kulid chowk in Kishtwar," the officer said.



"The rioting mob torched four shops, a truck and a scooter. Police used tear gas and batons to control the situation and fired warning shots to disperse the mob," the officer said.



Central forces rushed to Kashmir



Central paramilitary forces have been rushed to Kishtwar town in Jammu following communal clashes in the region Friday, R.P.N. Singh, Minister of State for Home Affairs here said. "Forces rushed to Kishtwar. We are coordinating with J&K government and assisting in every way possible," Singh tweeted.

Scenes of destruction in Kishtwar after the communal violence. Scenes of destruction in Kishtwar after the communal violence.

The BJP sought immediate action and central intervention in tackling the communal violence that broke out in Kishtwar. Party president Rajnath Singh Friday called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take action."Had a telephonic conversation with the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh regarding outbreak of violent clashes in Kishtwar district of Jammu region. The PM assured me that the situation would be quickly brought under control as the army has been called out in Kishtwar (sic)," tweeted the BJP president."I have checked on Kishtwar. Many injured. Houses and shops burnt. Please do something immediately," Swaraj told Abdullah via Twitter. In his reply, Abdullah said: "Injuries and damage on both sides. Situation is being brought under control. Adequate forces sent.""I am not referring to any side. Everyone injured there is a Hindustani," Sushma Swaraj said in reply.Abdullah added: "But the lies on mutilations in Kishtwar are designed to inflame passions and polarise people." He also asked Sushma Swaraj to talk to the Northern Army commander or the director general of police in Kishtwar.The BJP leader later said she had a telephonic conversation with Abdullah.