SRINAGAR: Clashes broke out between Sikhs and Muslims at Rangreth on the outskirts of Srinagar on Friday Several houses damaged. Leaders of the two communities swiftly brought the situation under control.Nisar Ahmad Dar, a resident of Rangreth, said the trouble started when a drunk Sikh driver beat four Muslim boys playing cricket on the roadside. The driver was then beaten by the residents. The Sikh families living nearby came out and clashed with the Muslims. Clashes between Sikhs and Muslims have never happened in the last 30 years,'' said Jaspal Singh, a driver who lives in the area. Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal condemned the incident and called up his Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah, urging him to ensure security and safety of Sikh families. A statement issued by the state government on Friday said, "The CM asked Mr Abdullah to immediately initiate effective steps to maintain law and order in the trouble torn area to instill a feeling of confidence and belongingness amongst the affected Sikh families.'' A government spokesman said Omar Abdullah assured Badal that his government would accord "top priority'' to the issue. Omar Abdullah directed the chief secretary to extend all help to rehabilitate the affected families, he added.
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