SRINAGAR, Aug 4: The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have started engaging the caretakers of shrines and mosques and local volunteers in a mock-drill to impart training in measures to be taken should any disaster strike.
Authorities have of late been facing stark criticism by one and all over, what they say, was their failure to deal with disasters or were less prepared especially after a series of mysterious fires broke out in shrines across the Muslim-majority valley.
“There have been six major fire incidents at religious places in Kashmir, including one in Poonch, this year. This exposes the vulnerability of shrines and mosques in the state,” Ruheela Hassan, assistant professor at Islamic University of Science and Technology told national daily Hindustan Times.
Hassan was among the resource persons during the two-day training programme held in Srinagar this week.
“During the training programme, the participants were taught to extinguish fires and also explained basics about first aid in view of the vulnerability of the ancient shrines to fires,” said Amir Ali, an official with the state’s disaster management cell.
The disaster preparedness training mainly aimed at the employees of J&K Muslim Wakf Board posted in various shrines of Srinagar.
The Civil Defence and the Fire and Emergency Services Department also participated in the training.
The employees imparted training were deputed from the shrines of Assar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Makhdoom Sahib, Peer Dastgir Sahib, Syed Yaqoob Sahib Sonwar, Drugjan Mosque, Buchwara Mosque, Syed Asim Shah Qasim Shah, Khankah-e-Moulla, Shehri Kalashpora, Rup Reshi Habba Kadal, Jinab Sahib Soura, Malik Sahib Soura, Mirza Qamil Sahib Hawal, Gojwara mosque, Shah Niyamatullah Qadri and Nalbandpora Mosque.
Five religious places in valley have witnessed mysterious fire and desecration since June 25 when the centuries-old revered shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani was gutted mysteriously in Srinagar.
Separatists see a pattern in it and accuse the state government of failure to provide security to religious places.
The government is already carrying out a fire audit to augment fire safety measures in the valley shrine. Kashmir is home to hundreds of old wooden mosques.
