Srinagar, Aug 4: Prompted by series of news reports carried by Greater Kashmir that there was a dire need to train caretakers of shrines about disaster preparedness following a devastative fire at Dastgeer Sahib(RA) shrine at Khanyaar in June, the government has started their training.
 An official handout said the training was imparted to Wakf Board employees and caretakers of some Masjids in the City during a 2-day training program, which concluded Saturday. “On the instructions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, 2-day disaster preparedness training for employees of J&K Muslim Wakf Board posted in various shrines of Srinagar was held by the Divisional Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services Dept(FESD),” the handout said.
 “During the training programme participants were taught to extinguish fires and also explained basics about first aid in view of vulnerability of the ancient shrines to fires,” it added.
 “The employees imparted training were deputed from Assar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, Makhdoom Sahib (RA) shrine, Peer Dastgir Sahib (RA) shrine, Syed Yaqoob Sahib (RA) shrine Sonwar, Drugjan Masjid, Buchwara Masjid, Syed Asim Shah Qasim Shah(RA) shrine, Khankah-e-Moulla(RA) shrine, Shehri Kailashpora(RA) shrine, Rup Reshi(RA) shrine Habba Kadal, Jinab Sahib (RA) shrine Soura, Malik Sahib(RA)  Soura, Mirza Qamil Sahib(RA)  Hawal, Gojwara Masjid, Shah Niyamatullah Qadri(RA) shrine and Nalbandpora Masjid,” the handout said.
 The training programme was attended by some local volunteers as well while later a mock drill was held and certificates of participation were distributed amongst the participants.
 The programme was inaugurated by Vice Chairman J&K Muslim Wakf Board, Prof MY Qadri. Others who attended the event included Dy Inspector General of Police Civil Defence Mubarak Ahmed Ganai, Joint Director FESD RT Dubey, Dy Director FESD Khurshid Ahmed Bazaz, SP Hazratbal, Abdul Qayoom, OSD with Div Com Kashmir Aamir Ali, Deputy Controller Muhammad Rafiq, Tehsildar north Srinagar Muhammad Bashir and Secretary Wakf Board, GM Rather.
 The resource persons were Prof Ruhila Hassan from Islamic University, Awantipora, Muhammad Akbar Asstt Director FESD and Dr IPS Bali, First-Aid trainer.
 The participants appreciated the initiative of the Disaster Management cell and urged that regular trainings be held in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 4 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 4 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST