Omar announces restoration of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine in 24 months

SRINAGAR: Announcing the restoration of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine in accordance with its heritage characteristic within 24 to 30 months, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also the Chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board Sunday said that the suggestions regarding expansion of ambit of enquiry ordered to ascertain the reason of the fire would be actively considered.
“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”, he said adding that the digital photographs, images, maps of every inch of the Shrine of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) and various other holy Dargahs of the State have been got documented by the government through INTACH. He said this documentation would provide necessary basis for restoring the Shrine of Dastgeer Sahib in its original architecture.
Interacting with the members of civil society including various Imams and Khateebs of Mosques and Ziarats of Srinagar, the Chief Minister said that the suggestions given by various sections to expand the ambit of enquiry ordered to probe the reason of fire in the Shrine would be given due weight age.
Omar Abdullah said two enquiries one by Divisional Commissioner and another by the Police Department through Special Investigation Team (SIT) have been constituted and the suggestions to expand the ambit of enquiries will be given proper consideration.
Appreciating the restraint exhibited by the people at the hour of mourn and gloom to maintain amity and peace, the Chief Minister also referred to the positive approach shown by various shades of opinion in helping to uphold calm and brotherhood.
“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 view point, for working positively to help in maintenance of peace and brotherhood. They made appeals to the people repeatedly for this purpose for which I am thankful to them”, he added.
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.
Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the Minister of State for Home to work out a foolproof security arrangement for the Shrines and come up with a befitting mechanism in this regard.
Omar Abdullah said that the Endeavour of the government would be to take all measures to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future. He sought the active cooperation of the people in this regard and said, “Perhaps the lesson has not been learnt by such incidents taking place in the past”.
The Chief Minister said that there are certain vested elements in the society who try to take advantage of such unfortunate incidents and disrupt peace and tranquility. “They use these opportunities to divide the society and create law and order problem”, he said and added that the strict law and order measures put in place by the government for 4 days in some parts of Srinagar city were only aimed at preventing damage to the precious human lives. He said many elements were out to create 2010 like situation in the garb of the unfortunate and saddening fire incident of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA) Shrine.
Omar Abdullah sought the support of the civil society at large to help maintain tranquility to carry forward tourist season successfully and accomplishing development targets as per schedule.
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 were unanimous in asking 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.
The prominent among those present in the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Legislators, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Mohammad Yaseen Shah, Shamima Firdous, Irfan Ahmad Shah, Peer Afaq Ahmad, Vice Chairman, Muslim Waqaf Board, M. Y. Qadri, Imam of Dargah Hazratbal, Moulana Bashir Ahmad Farooqi, Imam of Dargah of Peer-e-Dastgeer (RA), Moulana Nazir Ahmad Qadri, Imam of Khankah Shah-i-Hamdan (RA), Haji Peerzada Ghulam Mohammad Hamdani, Imam of Asar-i-Sharief Kalishpora, Moulana Manzoor Ahmad, Imam of Jenab Sahib Soura, Moulana Riyaz-ul-Haq, Imam of Syed Sahib Sonawar, Peer Hussain Qadri, Imam-e-Juma of Syed Sahib Sonawar, Moulana Akhzar Sahib, Imam of Dargah Shah Niamatullah (RA) Safakadal, Chairmen and Presidents of various trade, tourism and transport associations including Chairman KCCI Hamidullah, President Hotel and Restaurant Association Showkat Ahmad, President Taxi Operators Association Ghulam Nabi Pandav, President Kashmir Economy Mohammad Yasin Khan, President Tourist Transport Union Haji Abdul Rashid, President Kashmir Federation Chamber of Industries Zahoor Ahmad, President Houseboat Owners Association Mohammad Azim Tuman, President KMD Association Mohammad Yaqub and General Secretary KMD Association Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, President Hotel Federation Gowhar Ahmad and President Western Bus Service Association Khurshid Ahmad.