Residents of Uri area seek basic facilities at local shrine

Uri, Aug 04: Residents of Sokad area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have demanded improved basic facilities at the 150-year-old shrine of Syed Mir Jan Sahib.

Mushtaq Ahmad, President of the Shrine Committee told Greater Kashmir that the shrine urgently needs several basic amenities.

“We require toilet and washroom facilities at the shrine. As a place of worship, devotees face significant difficulties due to the lack of these essential services,” he said.

Ahmad also highlighted the need for a new concrete shed. “We currently have a temporary shed, but it is in poor condition. A new shed would allow us to accommodate more devotees and provide them with better comfort during the Urs days,” he said.

He emphasised that the shrine also requires necessary maintenance work, which could be addressed if funds are allocated.

“We appeal to the J&K Lieutenant Governor and the DC Baramulla to allocate funds for this remote shrine. No funds have been provided so far, and improving the facilities will make the visit more comfortable for devotees,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a committee member.

The annual Urs of Syed Mir Jan Sahib recently saw a large turnout, with over five thousand devotees attending it.

The shrine, situated 12 kilometers from the main town of Uri, is located on a hillock in the Sokad area, close to the Line of Control (LoC).

Locals said that this year’s celebration saw record-breaking attendance, attributing the increase to the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Previous Urs celebrations had experienced low attendance due to ceasefire violations and the COVID-19 pandemic.