Srinagar, July 1: Acknowledging that the separatists played a “constructive role” in the aftermath of the tragic fire at the shrine of Dastgeer Sahab (RA), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday expressed gratitude to them for “working positively” towards maintaining peace in the Valley.
“Apart from extending my gratitude to general public for the maturity they have shown at the moment of challenge, I also want to thank those, who do not share our political viewpoint, for working positively to help in maintenance of peace and brotherhood,” Omar said at an interaction with the civil society members including Imams (prayer leaders) and Khateebs (preachers) here.
“They (separatists) made appeals to the people repeatedly for this purpose (maintaining peace) for which I am thankful to them”, the Chief Minister said.
He said there are “certain vested elements in the society who try to take advantage of such unfortunate incidents and disrupt peace and tranquility.”
“They use these opportunities to divide the society and create law and order problem,” he said and added that many elements were out to create 2010 like situation in the garb of the unfortunate and saddening fire incident of Peer Dastgeer Sahab shrine.
Omar announced that the gutted shrine of Dastgeer Sahab will be restored within 24 months to its original structural characteristic. “As the chief minister and chairman of Muslim Waqf Board, I would personally monitor the restoration of revered shrine on the basis of its original structural characteristic,” Omar said at an interaction with civil society members He said the digital photographs, images, maps of every inch of the Dastgeer Sahab shrine and other holy 'Dargahs' of the state have been got documented by the government through INTACH.
Omar said this documentation would provide necessary basis for restoring the shrine of Dastgeer Sahab in its original form.
The chief minister said two probes - one by Divisional Commissioner and another by the Police through Special Investigation Team (SIT) - have been constituted and the suggestions to expand the ambit of enquiries will be given proper consideration.
The chief minister said he has already directed for fire safety auditing of all shrines under Muslim Waqf Board. "I have given directions to the Muslim Waqf Board to conduct fire auditing of all shrines and upgrading of the fire checking mechanism installed in various Dargahs," he said.
Omar said the Muslim Waqf Board has also been asked to train the shrine management staff in the use of fire extinguishing equipments.
Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani has been asked to work out a foolproof security arrangement for the shrines, Omar said.
The chief minister said the endeavor of the government would be to take all measures to avoid such unfortunate incidents in future.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Legislators, Dr Mustafa Kamal, Muhammad Yaseen Shah, Shamima Firdous, Irfan Ahmad Shah, Peer Afaq Ahmad and Vice Chairman, Muslim Waqf Board, MY Qadri were present at the meeting.
Representatives of various associations from trade, tourism, transport, hoteliers and houseboat owners were also present at the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST