Jammu, Feb. 20 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday defended the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner's order regulating donations during Ramadan, saying it was issued after consultations with Muslim community leaders to prevent fake NGOs from collecting money.

He added that the directive has been welcomed by local clerics and urged political leaders not to politicise the matter.

Speaking in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the order was issued after consultations with Muslim leaders in Kishtwar.

"In the Assembly yesterday, Bandipora MLA Nizammudin Bhat and Ahmed Mir raised the issue of an order passed by Kishtwar DC regarding donations during Ramzan. It was said that the government is interfering in relig...