Dastageer Sahib shrine to be reconstructed in two-and-a-half year

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the Peer Dastageer Sahib shrine, which was gutted in a fire here on Monday, will be restored within two-and-a-half year to its original structural characteristic.

"As the chief minister and chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board, I would personally monitor the restoration of revered shrine on the basis of its original structural characteristic," Omar said during an interaction with Imams (prayer leaders) and Khateebs (preachers).

He said the digital photographs, images, maps of every inch of the Dastageer Sahib shrine and various other holy 'Dargahs' of the state have been got documented by the government through INTACH.

Omar said this documentation would provide necessary basis for restoring the shrine of Dastageer Sahib in its original form.

The Chief Minister said two enquiries - one by Divisional Commissioner and another by the Police through Special Investigation Team (SIT) - have been constituted and the suggestions to expand the ambit of enquiries will be given proper consideration.

"Apart from extending my gratitude to general public for the maturity they have shown at the moment of challenge, I also want to thank those, who do not share our political views, for working positively. I am thankful to them," he added.

The chief minister said he has already directed for fire safety auditing of all shrines under Muslim Waqaf Board.

"I have given directions to the Muslim Waqaf Board to conduct fire auditing of all shrines and upgrading of the fire checking mechanism installed in various Dargahs," he said.

Omar said the Muslim Waqaf Board has also been asked to train the shrine management staff in the use of fire extinguishing equipments.

Peer Dastageer Sahib shrine, a 250-year-old wooden landmark dedicated to 11th-century Sufi saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Geelani, was reduced to ashes in a fire on June 26.