Shrine gutted in mysterious fire at Eidgah

Srinagar, June 19: The shrine of Hazrat Baba Naseeb Din Ghazi (RA) at Sangam area of Eidgah in Downtown was gutted in a mysterious fire incident here.

As per the officials of Fire and Emergency services, the incident took place on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

They said that two Chinar trees also suffered damages in the incident. “We received the information about the fire at 1:38 am and soon rushed our fire tenders to douse off the flames,” said an official, adding that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Meanwhile, the locals assembled near the shrine amid slogans alleging that the shrine was set ablaze by miscreants. They said that the matter should be investigated.

“We believe that some miscreants are behind this incident, and we want the matter to be investigated. We have immense faith and emotions attached with this shrine, and today’s incident has devastated us. We hope that the concerned police and local administration will take the matter seriously and find out the cause of the fire,” said a local.

Some of the local scholars also visited the site and appealed to the administration to conduct an investigation.

“We want culprits to be nabbed as our religious sentiments have been hurt. We will hold peaceful protests against this act. We won’t tolerate such acts,” Maulana Adil Noorani told reporters.

Meanwhile, Police has taken cognisance of the incident and registered FIR under relevant sections at Police Station Sangam.

“Police has taken cognizance of the incident of arson & damage to the shrine of Baba Naseeb-ud-din Gazi. FIR No. 24/24 under relevant sections of law stands regd in PS Sangam. Thorough & speedy investigation is underway to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” police said in a statement

Police also said that the “Common public is appealed to desist from spreading rumors/false information. They shouldn't fall prey to false propaganda of anti-social elements. Legal action shall be taken against those who are found to be involved in provocative act/instigation.”