Srinagar, Aug 16: The cry for demilitarization of the famed Hazratbal shrine is getting shriller with each passing day, with people asserting that no prayers would be offered there till police was not removed and their barracks shifted.
The demand comes in the wake of Saturday’s police firing and lathi-charge on protesters inside the Kashmir biggest shrine who were shouting pro-freedom slogans. At least 30 persons, including a dozen women, were injured in the police action, evoking sharp criticism across the valley.
The residents want removal of the two companies of armed police manning the shrine. “What for is the heavy contingent of police in Hazratbal shrine?” they asked. “The shrine has turned into a garrison with several police barracks outside it. The barracks should be immediately removed. The policemen are hampering smooth movement of the devotees to the shrine and often search them before letting them in.”
Since Saturday the devotees offer congregational prayers on road outside the shrine to protest the police action. “Even if the government feels security is required for the shrine, let them have a few policemen to do the job. It doesn’t require two companies,” said the residents, who shouted pro-freedom slogans outside the shrine.
According to observers, police have been manning the shrine ever since the Holy Relic Movement (Moi-e-Muqadas Tehreek) of 1963. “That time the policemen manning the shrine were less in number. Today it is two companies,” said a Muslim Waqf Board official. “Hazratbal has been quite peaceful for years now. No untoward incident has taken place in the area. So the government can consider the shrine demilitarization demand.”
Pertinently, the Hazratbal shrine is guarded by police from all sides, with its entry and exit points being looked after. Devotees are often, if not always, searched before permitted in. Concertina wire remains spread alongside main gate of the shrine, except for Friday when it is temporarily removed.
No prayers were held inside the Hazratbal shrine for the third consecutive day. Today the Head Priest of the shrine, Bashir-ud-Din Farooqui, led the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers on the “VIP road” Hazratbal.
Farooqui condemned breaking of the shrine windowpanes allegedly by police and demanded that the shrine be washed before prayers are resumed there. “Police barred devotees from offering prayers in the shrine on Saturday. The devotees were not carrying any stone or lathi in hand, yet they were beaten. This is condemnable,” he said. “I am with the people’s ongoing agitation in Hazratbal. We won’t offer prayers inside the shrine till the policemen of armed police manning it are not shifted and shrine is not washed.”
Farooqui, who shouted pro-freedom slogans, was addressing people outside the shrine premises after the prayers concluded.
A delegation of Hurriyat Conference (M) Monday visited Hazratbal to express solidarity with the protesters.
They condemned, in very strong words, the breaking of windowpanes and jars of the shrine by police.
A Hurriyat (M) statement said a delegation from Hazratbal approached Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and apprised him about Saturday’s Hazratbal shrine episode. “The forces involved in breaking of the windowpanes and jars of the shrine must be severely punished,” said Mirwaiz. “It is condemnable that the Muslim Waqf Board has maintained silence over the episode. Police in the areas has been given a free hand to deal with the protesters.”
The delegation to Hazratbal was led by Hurriyat (M) members, GN Zaki and Shams-ur-Rehman.

WAQF BOARD SPEAKS
The Muslim Waqf Board chairman, Prof MY Qadri, said they have asked the government to transfer the present companies of police from Hazratbal. “We have taken up the matter with the government. And we will wash the shrine,” he said, adding, “People not offering prayers at Hazratbal is a matter of concern for us. We have asked police not to bar anyone from entering the shrine and that CRPF men should not be seen near the shrine.”

CHANDELIER MAY BE REPLACED:
While police allegedly broke some windowpanes of the shrine, reports said the main chandelier also suffered some damage. Sources said it may be replaced.

FORCES ENTERED WITH SHOES ON: HEAD PRIEST
Iman-Khateeb (Head Priest) of the Hazratbal shrine, Bashir Ahmad Farooqui, Monday said Saturday’s police action on devotees inside the shrine was a chilling reminder of infamous “Khoftan Fakeers” of 1953 who would beat up peaceful devotees after Friday prayers in different shrines in Kashmir.
In a statement here, Farooqui said, “To beat devotees ruthlessly in this holy month of Ramadan is highly condemnable.”
He said, “Forces barged into the shrine with shoes on and beat up people ruthlessly. Even women were not spared.”
“Hazratbal shrine is an important place with has both religious and historic significance. I appeal people to lodge strong protest against police over Saturday’s episode in Hazratbal,” Farooqui said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST