J&K sets up peace panels ahead of Ayodhya verdict

Ahead of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court verdict in the Ayodhya title suit on September 24, peace committees are being set up in the districts of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain communal harmony and law and order.

"We have decided to set up peace committees in order to maintain communal harmony, peace, and law and order to nip possible communal flare-up," deputy commissioner of Poonch, Kuldeep Khajuria, told PTI.

Poonch district has been divided into 26 zones and all of them will have peace committees with prominent citizens, religious persons and people of various faiths and walks of life, with a government officer deputed for liaison.

"The process has already begun. We are expecting to have these committees formed by Wednesday," Khajuria said.

These committees will be instrumental in creating communal harmony and brotherhood, maintaining peace and helping the police and administration in keeping the peace.

A similar process to set up peace committees has been initiated in the districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri and Ramban.

Reviewing the law and order situation, inspector general of police of Jammu zone, Ashok Gupta, directed the district police chief to hold interactions with prominent persons in the districts who can play a role in maintaining peace and order.

Security in the sensitive areas of Jammu region has been beefed up and law-enforcing agencies have been asked to maintain extra vigil ahead of the court verdict.