Tral (Pulwama), July 19: Attempt by unidentified persons to torch a shrine here last night triggered protests here on Thursday.
 A complete shutdown was also observed in Tral against the incident with people demanding security to the shrine and stern punishment to the accused.   
 The locals said some unidentified persons last night attempted to set ablaze the shrine of Ameer-e Kabeer, Mir Sayeed Ali Hamdani (RA) at the historical Khankahe Faizpana
 “Some persons tried to barge into the shrine but the chowkidar raised an alarm forcing them to escape from the spot. Later when people rushed to the spot they found petrol filled bottles near the shrine,” the locals said.
 The chowkidar, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, corroborated statement of the locals. “Two masked persons tried to set the shrine on fire, however I foiled their attempt,” Bhat said.
 After hearing about the incident, hundreds of people took to streets today to register their protest. All the shops and business establishments in the area remained closed. The protesters said they won’t end up the demonstrations until the Government provides security to the shrine. 
 Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Shafaat Noor, rushed to the spot and assured measures for protection of the shrine.
 “The shrine will be provided security soon. Government has decided to provide security to all the shrines. We will install CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers in and around the shrine within a day,” the DC told the protesters.
 “We demand security to protect the shrine to prevent any attempt to damage it,” said Abdul Ahad Mujahid a spokesman of Auqaf Committee Tral.
 Locals said the foundation of this historic shrine was laid by Ameer-e- Kabeer (RA). However the shrine was gutted in a mysterious fire incident on December 17, 1997. Though the Government started construction of the shrine however the locals allege that work was going on at a snail’s pace. 

Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST