It was the lack of trust between Hindus and Muslims that caused the communal clash in Kishtwar on Friday. The atmosphere of mistrust ensures that a serious situation exists in much of the mountainous Doda district.
The flames of the communal clash in Kishtwar may subside in a few days but the communal temperament threatens to persist.
Militancy has achieved one of its objectives in sharpening the divide since the militants belong to one community and Hindus have been at the receiving end. The escalation of violence and counter-insurgency operations in Doda have fuelled more anger and distrust.
Reflecting on the time since the militancy erupted, Hindus deem themselves victims of the situation. "We were asking for more security for the threatened people of Pullar. Is that a crime?" asked Rajinder Singh, a resident of Kishtwar, while talking to Hindustan Times on phone on Friday. "We were punished by the police and the majority community."
Muslim leaders on the other hand ask if that gives the Hindus the right to stone Muslim shops. There are endless arguments and counter arguments -- some stubborn and others filled with perverse logic.
Hindus say the militants were targeting them because they wanted to make the minority to flee the place.
"This is the grand objective that
the militants have and we are not going to oblige them," said former state
BJP chief and resident of Bhaderwah. "But where is the security for our
people in the remote areas?"