The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	100 shrines in Kashmir lack firefighting system Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, June 27 Even as the state government has ordered a fire-safety audit of major shrines in the state after the gutting of the Dastageer Sahab shrine here, it is learnt that almost all shrines in Kashmir lack firefighting facilities. Monday’s fire at Kashmir’s most sacred shrine has triggered alarm in the state with people, politicians and heritage experts demanding immediate steps to safeguard shrines of historical importance. “Nearly 100 shrines, including 22 most revered architecturally important monuments, across the Valley are at a similar risk,” the head of Kashmir chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and former Director General of Tourism Saleem Beig told The Tribune. “After the shocking fire in the Dastageer Sahab shrine, it seems the government is alive to the problem as they have ordered a fire-safety audit. We hope that immediate steps would be taken to ensure safety of all shrines.” The state government has roped in INTACH to suggest measures for safeguarding the heritage shrines. The INTACH has already documented and digitised intricate details of the Dastageer shrine in 2010. Locals blame the government for its failure to install fire safety measures at the 250-year-old shrine. “It took a devastating fire to wake up the government to order a fire-safety audit in the shrines. Earlier, we had lost two major shrines to fire. These were the famous Chrar-e-Sharief shrine in central Kashmir and Khanqah Faiz Panah in south Kashmir. The government was never serious about ensuring the safety of these heritage shrines. But now it looks that the government has finally woken up to save the wooden heritage shrines,” said Iftiqaar Ahmed, a city resident. “The shocking thing is that not a single fire extinguisher was put in the shrine of Dastageer Sahab.” “The government should accelerate the process of fire audit so that that we do not lose more cultural edifices to human negligence,” he added. Soon after the Monday fire, the state government had appointed a committee of experts to conduct the fire-safety audit of major heritage shrines of the Valley. “The fire-safety audit of all major heritage shrines would be done by a committee of experts,” said Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon. Samoon was appointed inquiry officer by the government to probe the Dastageer Sahib Shrine fire incident. “The committee would prepare a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the shrine within two weeks.” Famous shrines at risk The five famous shrines in the Valley which do not have firefighting facilities are : The Shah Hamdan shrine in Zainakadal, Srinagar The shrine of Makhdum Sahib, which is half way up the Hari Parbat in Rainawari, Srinagar The shrine of Naqshband Sahib in Nowhatta, Srinagar The Zain Shah shrine in Aish Muqam in south Kashmir The shrine of Baba Rishi in Tangmarg in north Kashmir
	Don’t play politics over shrine fire: Omar M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 27 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged political and separatist parties not to “settle scores and play politics” over the gutting of the revered Pir Dastageer Sahab shrine. “Why couldn't we just mourn the destruction of the shrine without using the tragedy to settle scores and play politics?” Omar said on the micro-blogging website, Twitter. The Sufi shrine located in Khanyar area of the city was damaged in a fire incident on Monday. The Chief Minister also posted a picture of Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabbir Shah being heckled after he had visited the shrine along with another separatist leader Nayeem Khan on Monday. “Politics played out in the shadow of the tragedy yesterday. No reward for guessing whose supporters did this,” he tweeted while posting the picture. However, Omar’s comment and posting the picture prompted his followers on Twitter to point out that the Chief Minister too was playing politics over the issue. “Instead of reaching out to people @abdullah_omar adds fuel to the fire, starts another blame game. Politics of blood continues,” wrote Umar Farooq. “Really admire you, guess that's why hold you to a higher standard. You could have done without posting that picture,” wrote Poonam Singh, while Piyush Pandey tweeted: “What is this nonsense!!! Have the guts to say who did it. And have the heart to go and arrest them. You are the government.” Incidentally, opposition Peoples Democratic Party, while condemning the heckling of separatist leaders, had hinted that it was the handiwork of workers of the ruling National Conference
	‘Beef up security at all Kashmir shrines’ Grand Mufti doesn’t rule out ‘deep conspiracy’ behind shrine fire M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, June 27 Smelling a “deep conspiracy” behind the gutting of the Pir Dastageer Sahab shrine, Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad, who heads the self-styled Supreme Court of Shariah, today demanded that the security at all shrines of the Kashmir valley should be beefed up. “We do not rule out a deep conspiracy as photographs (taken at the shrine while on fire on Monday) clearly reveal that the fire had erupted from three places. There is a possibility of certain miscreants being involved,” Mufti Bashiruddin said while addressing the media here. Demanding that the government should step up security at all shrines of the Valley, he said the Wakf Board, which looks after shrines, should keep an eye on people entering these religious places while ensuring that no “Tom, Dick and Harry” uses the premises for making speeches. Bashiruddin also accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of “destroying evidence” by carrying out “hasty” cleaning operations at the shrine. The Mufti demanded that Omar should come out with a statement as to why the cleaning operation was carried out during night, which he claimed was an attempt to “destroy evidence”. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) too had yesterday expressed concern over the “hasty” cleaning operations at the shrine.
	Four pilgrims die in Baltal Ehsan Fazili/TNS Srinagar, June 27 At least four yatris, including two women, have died at different locations enroute the holy cave shrine of Amarnath since yesterday. The toll of yatris, who died of natural causes during the first three days of the pilgrimage, has reached five. The police said Geeta, wife of Sadhar Murti from Banglora, Padma Nagar, died at the Baltal base camp. Another yatri, Rajbeer Saini (40) from Haryana, died at Kalimata, Sangam. Both the bodies have been handed over to the Sonamarg police station for completing legal formalities. Ramchand Jogmal Thavni (73) from Ulhas Nagar, Maharashtra, died in tent no. 638-a at the lower camp of the holy cave. Another yatri, Chander Kanta (63) from Kurukshetra, Haryana, died at Domail. 20 injured in bus mishap At least 20 pilgrims were injured when a bus, in which they were going from the Baltal base camp to Srinagar, met with an accident at Manigam, about 35 km from here, in Ganderbal district today afternoon. Rescue teams of the police and civil defence rushed to the spot and rescued the pilgrims. Some of the injured were rushed to the police medical camp and given first aid. An official spokesman said the pilgrims were later shifted to Srinagar in a bus. Dolley Burman, Additional DG Police, Civil Defence, HG & SDRF, has appreciated the volunteers for their pro-active role in the rescue operation.
	Over 50,000 pilgrims visit shrine in 3 days Ehsan Fazili/TNS Srinagar, June 27 While fresh batches of pilgrims today left the base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal for the holy cave, Governor NN Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), reviewed the first two days of yatra movement at a meeting here. Around 50,000 pilgrims had darshan of the Shiva Lingam at the cave shrine during the first three days of the annual yatra. As many as 10,307 pilgrims had darshan on the first day, while 21,2043 pilgrims had darshan on the second day. More than 20,000 pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine till this evening. Over 7,318 pilgrims left the Nunwan base camp at Pahalgam today morning for the cave shrine, while 8,650 left the Baltal base camp. With Baltal being the shortest route to the cave, over 3,000 pilgrims had returned by today afternoon after offering prayers at the cave shrine. The Governor held a review meeting with senior officials of the SASB at the Raj Bhavan here today, in which SASB Chief Executive Officer Navin K Choudhary and Additional CEO Preet Pal Singh and other officials concerned were present. Vohra asked Choudhary to forthwith proceed to the Baltal and Nunwan base camps to ensure that the people crossing the control gates were duly registered pilgrims and to check the facilities for the yatris. Keeping in view the adverse weather conditions, the Governor directed the CEO to ensure that the camp directors and other officials monitor the yatra movement. The CEO reported that the movement of yatris had to be stopped on several occasions for varying periods due to heavy rains. However, the pilgrimage has moved satisfactorily along both the routes and over 31,000 yatris had paid their obeisance at the holy shrine of Shri Amarnathji during the first two days of this year’s yatra. Schedule announced Mahant Deependra Giri, mahant, Chhari-Mubarak or holy mace of Amarnathji, has announced the programme for the yatra for the information of saints and general public. As per tradition, ‘bhoomi-pujan’, ‘navgrah pujan’ and ‘dhawajarohan’ connected with the commencement of annual Chhari-Mubarak Amarnath Yatra will be performed at Pahalgam on the occasion of ‘Vyas-Purnima’ (Guru-Purnima) on July 3. After performing the chhari-pujan at Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar, on ‘nag-panchami’ on July 23, Mahant Giri will carry the holy mace to the cave shrine n ‘shravan-purnima’ on August 2.
	Heavy rush of pilgrims at Baltal base camp Vikas Sharma/TNS Baltal, June 27 The ongoing Amarnath Yatra has gained momentum as pilgrims from across the country are reaching the Baltal base camp in huge numbers braving the cold conditions in the Valley. As many as 13,510 pilgrims were allowed to leave for the holy cave by the authorities from the Baltal base camp on the second day as the weather remained bright and sunny. Unlike the opening day when the yatra was interrupted due to rain, there was no such interruption today. It was an unforgettable experience for the pilgrims to pay obeisance at the holy cave of Lord Shiva. “I have come to pay obeisance at the holy cave for the first time. It is one of the most spiritual moments of my life,” said Pawan Chhabra from Ludhiana. “I had heard a lot about the Amarnath Yatra from my friends. Unless one pays obeisance at the holy cave, one cannot experience that eternal feeling,” said another pilgrim, Sonu Verma. The pilgrims were enthusiastic despite difficult hilly terrain and slippery tracks enroute the holy cave. They were seen enjoying the yatra amidst chanting of “Bum Bum Bhole”. Devotees from across the country have organised langars at the base camp and on the way to the cave to serve food to the pilgrims. Besides sufficient arrangements being made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) for the pilgrims, devotees have left no stone unturned to provide basic facilities to the pilgrims ranging from food to medical aid and ambulance services. However, the devotees organising langars have expressed concern over the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders for the past three days. “We had informed the agencies in advance about the requirement of LPG cylinders, but their non-availability is a major concern for us,” said a member of the langar organising committee. “If the present scenario continues for a few more days, we will not be able to organise langars,” he added.
	Holy relics displayed to dispel speculations Azad, Soz, Karan Singh visit gutted Dastageer Sahab shrine Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 27 The holy relics of the Pir Dastageer Sahab shrine were displayed before the media today to dispel any apprehensions regarding the safety of the relics. Sajada Nasheen (caretaker) of the shrine Khalid Jeelani displayed the relics that include a strand of hair of Dastageer Sahab, a document of Hazrat Ali on which the stamp of Prophet Mohammad is affixed and pages of the Koran handwritten by Hazrat Abu-Bakar Sidiq. Jeelani said these relics would be displayed before the devotees during the annual Urs of the saint as per past practice. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz and Member of Parliament Karan Singh today visited the gutted shrine to take stock of the damage. Azad said he used to pay obeisance at the shrine right since the time when he was a student at S P College, Srinagar. Soz assured residents of Khanyar that their individual complaints regarding the fire incident and all kinds of grievances would be removed. Singh said the people of all faiths had deep regard for the shrine of Dastageer Sahab.
	Scientists urged to adopt modern forensic technology Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 27 Two forensic experts from Netherlands today asked the scientists of the country to adopt the latest technology for solving various crime cases. The experts, Geloven and Blok of National Forensic Institute, Netherlands, were speaking on the future challenges of forensic science during the three-day All India Forensic Science Conference being held in Srinagar. The forensic conference is being held for the first time in the state. “Scientists have to adopt the modern technology,” said the experts while giving a video presentation during the conference. The conference was inaugurated yesterday by Governor NN Vohra. The conference has been organised by the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Adarsh, associate professor at the AIIMS, spoke on the present scenario of forensic toxicology services in India and suggested ways for its overall improvement. Kamlendra Prasad, director, LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, spoke on quality education in forensic science in India.
	Quick reaction teams for Jammu railway station Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, June 27 The state government has deployed quick reaction teams (QRTs) as well as commando teams of the CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Jammu railway station to counter terror threat in view of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which started on June 25. It may be recalled here that on January 2, 2004, four security personnel were killed and 14 others were critically injured in an attack by militants on the Jammu railway station. Lt Triveni Singh of 5 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime award, for exemplary courage shown during the terrorist attack on the fateful day of January 2. The IGP, Railways, AQ Manhas, and the IG, CRPF, Jammu zone, GJ Singh, have placed quick reaction teams from the police and the CRPF on platform number one and two. Another quick reaction team shall patrol the road strip leading to the main entrance of the railway station. The Jammu railway station, one of the busiest railway stations in the country, caters to 50,000 passengers every day. Besides QRTs and commando teams, two special teams have been constituted under the supervision of an officer and a separate women police cell has been set up under the supervision of an NGO. These personnel have been deployed in civvies to monitor the activities of miscreants in and around the railway station. Besides putting in place the requisite security arrangements, the administration has also set up a helpline for Amarnath pilgrims. A special helpline with Aircel number 9796000100 has been installed at the station, which will remain functional round the clock. The police has also set up a yatri assistance booth near the Tourist Office which shall also function round the clock. Meanwhile, another batch of 3,573 pilgrims comprising 2,405 men, 728 women, 152 children and 288 sadhus left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in a convoy of 110 vehicles for the Amarnath cave shrine.
	Panel on child rights meets Governor Srinagar, June 27 Members of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), New Delhi, called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today. Two members of the NCPCR, Yogesh Dube and Vinod Kumar Tickoo, discussed with the Governor several issues relating to the protection and promotion of child rights. They briefed him about the activities of the NCPCR aimed at securing child rights and promoting research on the issue. The NCPCR members, who are on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess the child rights situation in the state, also discussed the proposal to organise a national seminar on “Child Rights Perspectives in J&K and the need for setting up a State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in J&K”. An official spokesman said Vohra stressed in the meeting for the need of providing special care and protection to children, particularly those in distress, belonging to disadvantaged sections of society, affected by terrorism and other unfortunate circumstances. — TNS
	Old Srinagar calm but tense M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, June 27 Normal life continued to remain hit for the third consecutive day here today in view of the strike called to mourn the gutting of the Pir Dastageer Sahab shrine in the city on Monday. While the government had imposed restrictions on the movement of public and transport in the jurisdiction of six police stations of the old city areas, most of the shops, educational institutions and other business establishments remained closed in other parts of the summer capital too. However, the impact of the shutdown was not as severe in the civil lines areas of the city, where some shops remained open. Thin attendance was recorded at government offices due to scarcity of public transport. Private vehicles, however, were seen plying on the city roads. The old city areas, which had witnessed clashes between protesters and security forces for the last two days, remained tense but calm. While separatists had called for a strike yesterday, the Mutahida Ulema Ahl-e-Sunnat (MUAS), a conglomerate of several religious organisations, had called for a two-day shutdown. Reports reaching here said the effect of the shutdown call at other districts of the Valley was less severe as compared to yesterday but normal life remained hit as the summer capital remained closed.