[Reader-list] Minority Sikhs attacked by Majority Muslim community members in Kashmir, yet again.

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Communal clash at Rangreth averted*

Excelsior Correspondent

*Srinagar, June 4: *A scuffle which started after a cricket match between
youngsters took an ugly turn and led to communal clashes in Rangreth area of
Budgam district.

Deputy Commissioner Budgam Mohammad Rafi, two National Conference MLAs and
some prominent Sikh leaders had to intervene who finally managed to cool
down the tempers between members of the two communities.

Rafi said a fight over a cricket match yesterday led to stone pelting in
which a vehicle driven by a Sikh was damaged, who allegedly retaliated by
beating some youngsters belonging to the Muslim community.

Later at night, a group of Muslim youth allegedly barged into the houses of
Sikh community living in Rangreth and damaged vehicles and some household
items.

Outraged, some members of the community then took shelter at a nearby
gurudwara and threatened to migrate out of the Kashmir valley if Government
did not take any action.

President of All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee Jagmohan Singh Raina
alleged that many items like fridges and television sets, besides 18
vehicles were damaged.

Situation in the area remained tense in the morning but later DC Budgam, MLA
Budgam Aga Roohullah and MLA Amirakadal Nasir Aslam Wani rushed to Rangreth
and managed to bring about a patch up between the two communities.
Rafi also gave orders to assess the losses suffered during attacks on
the houses
of Sikh community and said the affected will be compensated.

Members of both the communities then took out a "peace march" in the area.

Rafi expressed satisfaction that the issue was resolved quickly saying the
area is known for "Sikh-Muslim brotherhood".