Angry clashes in Srinagar after fire destroys ancient Sufi shrine

Srinagar: Clashes broke out between angry protesters and police in the old town of Srinagar following a blaze that gutted one of the most revered shrines in Kashmir.

The fire started at the roof of the 300-year-old Sufi shrine of Hazrat Shaikh Abdula Qadir Jeelani, populary known as Peer Dastgeer Sahib, in Khanyar in downtown Srinagar, Officials say, the fire was detected at around 6:30 am soon after people completed morning prayers. Within two hours the complete structure, made of made mostly of wood, was gutted down. Officials are still trying to determine the cause.

Officials told NDTV that holy relics and other sacred valuables were retrieved safely.

The clashes began after angry devotees alleged that the fire brigade came in at least an hour after the complaint was registered. However authorities deny the delay saying mobs crowding the area made it difficult for them to reach the spot.

Police used tear smoke shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the stone pelting mob. Many commercial establishments in the area spontaneously shut down as a mark of protest.  

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At least 20 people, 10 of them policemen were injured in the clashes. One fire engine was set ablaze, seven were damaged. One ambulance was also damaged by angry mobs.

The more than three hundred year old shrine of the 11th century saint is the nerve centre of spirituality in Kashmir. The shrine is equally revered by all people of all faiths and its damage in the fire has caused deep anguish and shock. This was evident, after women were seen on streets wailing and beating their chests, as they saw fire engulfing the shrine.

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