Waqaf Board to conduct fire audit of all shrines
SRINAGAR, July 1:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Peer Dastigheer Sahib shrine, which was gutted in a fire here on Monday, will be restored within two-and-a-half year to its original structural characteristic.
“As the Chief Minister and chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board, I would personally monitor the restoration of revered shrine on the basis of its original structural characteristic,” Omar said during an interaction with Imams (prayer leaders) and Khateebs (preachers) here.
He said the digital photographs, images, maps of every inch of the Dastigheer Sahib shrine and various other holy ‘Dargahs’ of the State have been got documented by the Government through INTACH.
Omar said this documentation would provide necessary basis for restoring the shrine of Dastigheer Sahib in its original form.
The Chief Minister said two enquiries—one by Divisional Commissioner and another by the Police through Special Investigation Team (SIT) — have been constituted and the suggestions to expand the ambit of enquiries will be given proper consideration.
“Apart from extending my gratitude to general public for the maturity they have shown at the moment of challenge, I also want to thank those, who do not share our political views, for working positively. I am thankful to them,” he added.
The Chief Minister said he has already directed for fire safety auditing of all shrines under Muslim Waqaf Board. “I have given directions to the Muslim Waqaf Board to conduct fire auditing of all shrines and upgrading of the fire checking mechanism installed in various Dargahs,” he said.
Omar said the Muslim Waqaf Board has also been asked to train the shrine management staff in the use of fire extinguishing equipments.
Peer Dastigheer Sahib shrine, a 250-year-old wooden landmark dedicated to 11th-century Sufi saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Geelani, was reduced to ashes in a fire on June 26.
Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani has been asked to work out a foolproof security arrangement for the shrines, Omar said.
The Chief Minister said the endeavour of the Government would be to take all measures to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future.
Omar said, there are “certain vested elements in the society who try to take advantage of such unfortunate incidents and disrupt peace and tranquillity.”
“They use these opportunities to divide the society and create law and order problem,” he alleged.
The Chief Minister said that he has already directed for fire safety auditing of all shrines under Muslim Waqaf Board. “I have given directions to the Muslim Waqaf Board to conduct fire auditing of all shrines and upgrading the fire checking mechanism installed in various Dargahs”, he said adding that the Muslim Waqaf Board has also been asked to train the shrine management staff in the use of fire extinguishing equipments.
The Imams, Khateebs, senior citizens and representatives of various associations of trade, tourism, transport, hoteliers and houseboat owners in their speeches in the meeting lauded the timely action of the Government to maintain law and order at the hour of gloom and mourning. They also appreciated the Chief Minister for cutting short his stay at London and immediately rushing to the shrine spot to take first hand appraisal of the status of the damage.
They called for strict security measures for the shrines and holy places of the State. They were also unanimous in finding out the reason of the fire incident as early as possible and taking steps to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents in future.
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