The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided not to take any chance and put severe restrictions in volatile areas of Srinagar’s old city tomorrow too, while the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, raised pitch on Tuesday, accusing the government of negligence and mishandling the situation.
“Restrictions like today will continue. We are analysing the situation and nobody will be allowed to disrupt the peace,” Srinagar district magistrate Baseer Ahmad Khan was quoted by a local newspaper.
Immediately after a fire gutted the 245-year-old shrine devoted to 11th Century saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani on Monday morning, youth took to streets and engaged security forces in stone pelting.
Conservative estimates suggest that more than two dozen people were injured, including 10 security personnel. There was complete shutdown in Kashmir valley on Tuesday in response to shutdown call given by separatists and religious leaders. In old city, the authorities imposed restriction on movement of people and vehicles.
On Monday morning, J and K law minister Ali Muhammad Sagar’s cavalcade was also attacked when he tried to reach the spot. It was followed by the beating up of senior moderate separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah. Opposition Peoples Democratic Party has obliquely blamed the National Conference for the attack in Shah.
“This was no occasion to show such disrespect to the senior leaders (Shah and his associate Nayeem Ahmad Khan) or display hooliganism. It seems some political elements who have historically used muscle power and browbeating as their preferred political tool are trying to fish in trouble waters,” said PDP spokesman without naming any political party.
{{/usCountry}}“This was no occasion to show such disrespect to the senior leaders (Shah and his associate Nayeem Ahmad Khan) or display hooliganism. It seems some political elements who have historically used muscle power and browbeating as their preferred political tool are trying to fish in trouble waters,” said PDP spokesman without naming any political party.
{{/usCountry}}In an oblique reference, the PDP spokesman said, “It was unlikely to happen as they have been indulging in such acts as a part of their political tactics and are enjoying political patronage and protection from the NC leadership.”
The spokesman also expressed concern at the hasty cleaning operations at the gutted shrine during the night. “Whether this was opportune to remove all evidence even before the government had ordered an enquiry into the cause of this unfortunate incident?” asked the PDP spokesman.
The PDP alleged that some ruling party politicians, who also are part of the Wakf Board, have been interfering in the matters of prominent shrines as if they are their personal property.
“Such interference and lack of any discipline in dealing with these delicate structures could be one reason for the Khanyar catastrophe,” alleged the PDP.