Chief Minister expressed her deep appreciation for the local youth who came forward and prevented the fire from spreading
Pro-azadi slogans greeted Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday when she visited the 14 century revered Shrine of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani to take stock of the situation after the iconic structure was partially damaged in a fire incident.
Pyramidal spire and roof of the shrine, considered a masterpiece of wooden architecture were damaged when fire broke out during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the was brought under control.
Originally built in the year 1395 by then Kashmir ruler Sultan Sikander in memory of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, lovingly called Ameer-e-Kabir and Shah Hamdan, the shrine was ravaged by fire on different occasions and was last reconstructed in 1732. The two storied structure is rich in woodwork and has a sloping pyramidal roof.
Soon after hearing the news of blaze news, Mehbooba air dashed to Srinagar early morning and straight away drove to the shrine to take stock of the situation. However hundreds of people shouted pro freedom slogans and pro Islam slogans when she was inspecting the shrine.
"Chief Minister went around the various areas of the shrine complex to assess the quantum of damage. She sought a detailed appraisal from the local administration regarding the fire incident," said an official spokesman.
Interacting with the members of the management committee and devotees, Mehbooba Mufti said the shrine of Hazrat Amir-e- Kabir symbolises the pluralistic ethos of Kashmir society from which every citizen of the state draws spiritual solace.
Chief Minister expressed her deep appreciation for the local youth who came forward and prevented the fire from spreading. "On the occasion, people of the area demanded installation of CCTVs in the shrine complex, availability of fire tenders in the locality, scientific protection to the wood structures at the shrine and expediting shrine expansion plan", said the spokesman.
Emotional scenes were witnessed when people came to know about the blaze in the shrine. Braving cold thousands of devotees rushed to the shrine to find out the damages. Women wailed and cried after seeing the damage to the shrine.
Later Chief Minister directed conduct of the safety audit of all shrines in the Kashmir Valley to pevent the fire incidents. Mehbooba directed installation of fire hydrants, smoke alarms, CCTVs and other precautions to prevent fire occurrence at any shrine in the State.
Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of the Wakf Board, directed immediate start of restoration work at the Khanqah i Mou'la shrine and complete it within the shortest period. She asked the INTACH to come up with the drawings within two days so that restoration work is started. She said money would be no constraint in the completion of restoration works at the shrine, which she described as civilizational soul for the people of the State.
Mehbooba Mufti expressed her deep appreciation for the local youth who came forward and prevented the fire from spreading while directing the local administration to prepare list of such volunteers so that they would be suitably rewarded.
ANCIENT TREASURE
- Originally built in the year 1395 by then Kashmir ruler Sultan Sikander in memory of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, lovingly called Ameer-e-Kabir. The two storied structure is rich in woodwork and has a sloping pyramidal roof.
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