Omar Abdullah reviews security arrangements for shrines in J-K

Security arrangements for shrines and strong rooms to protect 'Tabarrukaats' (holy relics) were discussed at the 16th meeting of Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Waqf Board (MWB) chaired by the chief minister here yesterday.

Abdullah, who is also chairman of the MWB, reiterated his directions for restoration of peer Dastigeer sahib shrine, which was gutted in a mysterious fire incident on June 25, an official spokesman said today.

The construction work of the shrine at Khanyar should be started soon and the tenders floated for the purpose will be opened in the last week of August, he said.

He said that Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has preserved digital maps and designs of the shrine which will help to reconstruct it in its original heritage.

The spokesman said matters pertaining to the beautification of the holy Hazratbal shrine in the outskirts of the city, polishing of its dome and expansion of mosque also came up for discussion.

The spokesman said Abdullah announced Rs one crore for construction of shops in Charar-i-Sharief for rehabilitation of shopkeepers who are being shifted on account of development of infrastructure, sanitation units, bathrooms and other facilities in the shrine complex.

Fire had broken out at Baba Haneefuddin's shrine, made of mostly wood, in wee hours on July 15, while a mosque was burnt down in Beeru in Budgaon district a few days later.