SRINAGAR : Expressing serious concern over vandalising the only Art Gallery in Srinagar, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah demanded that those officers responsible for the act be suspended. In a tweet, Mr Abdullah said, “I hope the Hon Governor suspends the officers involved with vandalising the art gallery in Srinagar pending an inquiry in to their actions”. “Why on earth would they do this??? Tourism officials vandalise Srinagar’s lone art gallery without any prior notice”, he tweeted on the incident. Officials of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JTKDC) had allegedly vandalised ‘Gallerie One’, Kashmir’s only art gallery and damaged artifacts before shutting it down.
The management of gallery accused the raiding party of destroying priceless paintings.
Owner of the gallery Syed Mujtaba Rizvi alleged that they had left nothing untouched and the irony was that they were unable to make an inventory of losses as the gallery had been locked by the officials.”
He said the gallery had artworks worth Rs seven crores and nothing had remained untouched.
He alleged that no reason was given to shut the gallery by the officials when under normal circumstances the administration had to give a notice before taking any action. The gallery, which was gradually becoming the latest hotspot for art lovers in the Valley, was inaugurated on January 12 and closed less than two months later. The officials, however, claimed that the gallery had a lease for just three months and wwas closed after it ended. (AGENCIES)
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