Action demanded against 'demolition' of AJK graveyard

Relatives of those killed in October 2005 earthquake decry govt's 'inaction' over construction activities on cemetery

MUZAFFARABAD:

The relatives of those who lost their lives in the October 2005 devastating earthquake have urged the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government to take notice of the demolition of Muzaffarabad's graveyard.

Addressing a presser in Rawalakot on Monday with the relatives of the affectees, Rashid Rashim, Babar Khalil and Shahid Iqbal accused the district administration of failing to protect the cemetery situated near Lower Plate.

More than 100 people, including students of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) who lost their lives in the calamity, were laid to rest in the graveyard.

"We appeal to the government of AJ&K to stop the construction on the graveyard of martyrs of the October 8, 2005 earthquake," they said.

Rashim told media persons that his sister Shereen, a student at UAJK, was also laid to rest in the same graveyard.

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He accused the administration of backing the encroachers who had first demolished the graveyard and then began the construction.

Rashim added that the administration failed to stop the construction despite a stay for the same by the AJK High Court.

"Besides our sister's, the graves of more than 100 other October 8 earthquake martyrs were demolished and desecrated," he said, terming it "unacceptable for us and other relatives of earthquake martyrs."

"The desecration of a graveyard is not only inhuman but also an Un-Islamic act which is not tolerable in any civilised society," he remarked.

Rashim warned that protesters will take to the streets if the government failed to act against those who demolished and desecrated the graveyard.