Srinagar, Sept 13: Police have launched an inquiry into the burning of two police posts, a control room and a gypsy at Hazratbal on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Police sources disclosed to Greater Kashmir that the incident, which happened immediately after the Eid prayers at the Hazratbal shrine ended, is being thoroughly investigated. “We are looking into how the incident happened and who was behind it,” they said.
However, police remained tightlipped about whether anyone has been detained in this regard or not.
Sources said police are investigating whether those involved in the incident were the protesters or a mob which had visited the place with the purpose to set the barracks on fire. “There is every possibility that it must have been some kind of sabotage. Nothing can be ruled out. But in any case, it is the handiwork of those who wanted to set the Valley on fire by resorting to arson at Hazratbal,” said a police official, insisting not to be named.
Pertinently, two armed police posts, their control room and a gypsy were set ablaze by unidentified men after the Eid prayers ended. Following the incident, police resorted to intense aerial firing, causing pandemonium in the area.
“We don’t know who set the barracks ablaze,” said Meraj ud Din, a resident of Nigeen, Hazratbal. “The prayers ended peacefully. We heard hundreds of gunshots in the area. Police firing caused chaos in the area,” he added.
The devotees, who had thronged the Hazratbal shrine, were seen running for cover following police firing. People took refuge in nearby residential areas before police brought the situation under control.
Personnel of the Fire Services department brought the fire under control.
Before the prayers, members of the Hurriyat Conference (G) addressed people, urging them to continue protesting peacefully. “You must follow the Hurriyat protest programmes in letter and spirit,” they told the devotees in the lawns of the Hazratbal shrine.
The speakers informed the public about the “police atrocities” on Kashmiris in the past three months of turmoil. “We must not forget the tremendous sacrifices that people have given in the past three months. Hundreds of people have lost their lives, scores have been injured and many disabled. So we must understand the sensitivity of the issue and protest peacefully,” they said.
The speakers strongly condemned the police action on protesters in the past three months, which claimed over 75 lives. They repeatedly urged people not to resort to violence but protest peacefully.
The Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman had expressed his  desire to offer Eid prayers at the Hazratbal shrine. However, police had detained him 2-days before Eid.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST