Five state officials have been suspended for allegedly inciting communal clashes in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir that left two persons dead on August 23.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Poonch has suspended five government officials for inciting public by their provocative statements and triggering communal clashes in the district on August 23,” district officials said.

The action came days after nine officials were suspended for "inciting public by their provocative statements and triggering communal clashes" in Kishtwar district that left two persons dead on August 12.

The officials in Poonch who have been suspended are Mohmmad Taj, Qasim Ali, Master Khetar Pal, Rajesh Kumar and Nafes Haider.

The action was initiated on the basis of a report submitted by the Superintendent of Police.

Over 60 shops and other residential houses were burnt and 17 vehicles also torched in the violence that left over 34 people injured in Poonch on Aug 23 during the two-month violent agitation by the Sri Amrnath Yatra Sagharsh Samiti in Jammu for transfer of land to the shrine.