Srinagar, June 25: The state government Monday ordered probe by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, into the Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine fire.
“It is a tragic incident. Government has ordered an inquiry by the Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir), into the unfortunate incident to ascertain the cause of fire,” Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar told reporters here. Sagar, however, said that the holy relic of the renowned saint was safe. The relic was housed in the shrine and it would be displayed on various religious festivals.
“The fire broke out inside the shrine this morning at around 6.30 am and the shrine was extensively damaged. However the holy relic and rare Quranic manuscripts are safe and are in the custody of Sajada Nisheen of the shrine, Syed Khalid Hussain Geelani,” said Sagar who is also MLA from Khanyar constituency.
He said within eight minutes fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
Sagar appealed the people not to pay heed to any rumor and cooperate with the government in maintaining peace.
“Yes, there have been reports of clashes but we have not imposed curfew anywhere. We appeal people to remain calm,” Sagar said.
The Minister said the Muslim Waqf Board would soon start reconstruction of the shrine and the mosque as per the traditional design.
“Waqf Board has the digital images of the design of the shrine in its possession and the work will start soon on the old pattern,” he said.
To a question Sagar responded: “The probe will ascertain the cause of fire.
Earlier, Sagar and minister of state for Home Nasir Aslam Wani and Devender Rana and Mubarak Gul, two advisors to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah reviewed the situation along with senior police and civil administration officials.

DIV COM CONVENES HIGH LEVEL MEETING
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon convened a high level meeting with senior officers today and discussed in detail the measures to be taken for restoration of the shrine.
It was suggested that a committee of experts will prepare a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the shrine within two weeks.
The Divisional Commissioner assured the Muslim Waqf Board that all the support required for restoring the shrine to its pristine glory by reconstructing it as per original architecture.
It was decided that the services of INTACH would also be utilized, as the organisation has already documented and digitalised intricate details of the shrine.
The meeting also decided that a fire safety audit of all major heritage shrines of Kashmir would be done by a committee of experts very soon.
It was informed Waqf Board and JKPCC will also speed up construction of adjacent mosque which also got partially damaged, to facilitate regular prayers immediately.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Waqf Board, Prof M Y Qadri, Commissioner SMC, Dr G N Qasba, Vice Chairman SDA, Farooq Renzushah, Convenor INTACH, Saleem Beigh and senior officers from JKPCC, R&B, EM&RE, Town Planning, Chief Architect Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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