Bandh, protests at Hazratbal

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/26/2012 12:21:58 AM

SRINAGAR, Sep 25: A bandh was observed and protest demonstrations held against Waqf Board at Hazratbal area here today.
The incident occurred after some marble slabs fell down from the dome of the holy shrine there. The marble was fixed at the dome some time back during the renovation work.
The protesters alleged that the Waqf authorities had used substandard material which resulted in the marble slabs falling off the dome. Renovation work on the shrine has been going on for the last couple of years. The shopkeepers pulled down the shutters and the people took to streets.
However, Superintendent Engineer Waqf Board, Farooq Ahmad Shah denied that the slabs fell due to usage of sub-standard material.
“Some 45 years back when the dome was constructed then Muslim Auqaf Trust (MAT) authorities had ignored the safety measures due to which today’s incident happened,” he said.
Shah stated that only polishing work of the dome is going on and half portion has been polished so far.
“There was leakage last year and an outside firm rectified it,” he added.
Reports said that angry protesters exchanged hot words with minister for rural development Ali Mohammad Sagar and chief minister’s political advisor Mubrak Gul after both of them reached the spot to pacify the protesters.
Superintendent Police Hazratbal, Abdul Qayoom said that no one was injured in the incident. “Some protests were held but now the situation is under control,” he said.
Qayoom said that Asr prayers were held in the shrine and 40-50 people offered prayers.
Meanwhile, immediately after hearing the news, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik visited Hazratbal.
Addressing people, Malik said, “Waqf Board authorities are responsible for today’s incident. Sub-standard material has been used in the construction of the shrine and it is responsibility of the authorities to take immediate action in this regard.”

 

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