Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 26: The people form all walks of life have expressed their shock and grief over the tragic fire incident at revered shrine of Peer Dastageer Sahab at Srinagar and appealed the people to maintain peace at all costs.
Former Union MoS and MLA Prof Chaman Lal Gupta while expressing his shock and sorrow over the incident said the Sofi Shrine was the symbol of sofi cult inherited in Kashmir. This shrine always gave the message of secularism and peace, which people of Kashmir will maintain at this hour of trial. He said the Government must come out with real cause of devastating fire to end different rumors in the city and demanded immediate reconstruction of the shrine to assuage the feelings of the public.
To express their anger over the fire incident at centuries old Sofi Shrine of Dastageer Sahib, the activists of Shiv Sena and Dogra Front took out a procession from Raghunath Temple to Press Club here today.
The protestors raising slogans against the Government accused it of total failure in framing a policy to protect culture of Kashmir of which this Sofi shrine was one of the great pillars.
Sena president Ashok Gupta said that Dastageer Sahib shrine is a symbol of brotherhood and fraternity in Kashmir as all Hindus and Muslims are devotees of this holy Dargah, which is a symbol of respect for all noble souls who guided Kashmir from time to time.
He demanded that Government should frame a policy to protect the religious places of both Hindus and Muslims in Valley.
The All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPC) which held a meeting here today under the chairmanship of H N Jatu while expressing its grave concern over the mysterious fire and usage of cesspools water for extinguishing the same said it has hurt the sentiments of devotees of shrine.
He demanded a through probe into the incident. The meting among others was attended by B L Duda, Mohan Lal Comrade, M K Raina and Kuldeep Pandita.
Advisor Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) S K Tiku has also expressed his shock and grief over the fire incident at Sofi shrine of Kashmir, which was highly revered by Pandit community as well. Mr Tickoo has also demanded a probe into the incident.
Kashmir Samiti Delhi (KSD) president, Rakesh Kaul while expressing his shock and grief over the mysterious fire that engulfed the ancient Sofi shrine at Kashmir and use of cesspools water by Fire Services in fighting the fire said this has hurt the religious sentiments of the people attached to this shrine. He demanded action against the officers responsible for the same.
R L Riana member Apex Committee on Migrants has also expressed his concern over the damage caused to the ancient shrine and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
Meanwhile the senior citizens and Pensioners Forum Ganderbal and Peoples Welfare Association has also expressed its shock over the fire incident and said that this is the handi work of saboteurs to disturb peace in the Valley.
Mir Ghulam Rasool Batwani, patron of the Association said that for last some years it has become a precedence that whenever the season of holy Amarnath yatra comes the miscreants are hell bent to disturb peace and tourist season in Valley.
He appealed the masses to be vigilant against such forces and work for the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the Valley at all costs as people have already suffered a lot during 23 year long turmoil. Mir also demanded a thorough probe into the mysterious fire use of cesspools water for extinguishing the same by Fire Service men.
To protest against the fire incident at Dastgeer Sahib J&K People’s Political Party (PPP) chairman Engineer Hilal Ahmad has urged the people to observe complete Kashmir bandh on June 29 and march towards the holy shrine.
Chief patron J&K Mahaz-e-Azadi (MeA) Azam Inqilabi termed the gutting of revered Peer Dastageer Sahib Shrine at Khanyar as a national loss. In a statement issued here today he said “our hearts are grieved over this tragedy which may be a part of a bigger conspiracy’’.
He said it is the duty of pro-freedom leaders and ulemas to ascertain the facts behind the tragedy.
Begum Khalida Shah president Awami National Conference (ANC) has expressed her profound grief and anguish at the unfortunate incident at the revered shrine and said this has deeply hurt the millions of believers. She demanded a thorough probe into the unfortunate incident.
Jammu Muslim Coordination Committee (JMCC) has also expressed grief and sorrow over the destruction of Dargah Peer Dastageer in Srinagar in a devastating fire yesterday. In an emergency meeting under the chairmanship of Abdul Gani Kohli , the meeting expressed grave concern and demanded a thorough probe into the matter. It demanded a commission of inquiry into the incident.
Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha (ABGM) has also expressed its profound grief and shock over the fire incident of Sofi saint. Its president Eshfaq ur Rehman Poswal has demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
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