SRINAGAR: Fire gutted one of the most revered Sufi Muslim shrines in Indian Kashmir on Monday sparking clashes between police and angry Muslim protesters, witnesses said.
At least six people were hurt in Kashmir's main city of Srinagar when police fired teargas at stone-throwing protesters enraged over the destruction of the 350-year-old wooden shrine which housed a relic of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani, an 11th century Sufi saint, police said.
Rioters torched a fire engine and threw stones at firefighters and some members of the media.
"After morning prayers, fire started from the roof top of the shrine. We're still trying to determine the cause," said
Farooq Ahmad, a police official at the scene.
"The holy relic of the Sufi saint is safe and has been retrieved."
Police sealed off roads leading to the shrine where hundreds of men and women had gathered, many of them wailing and crying.
COMMENTS (14)
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Dr Zakir Nair is not an alim, he is a wahabi!
This is not at all surprising. The hardcore deobandi/wahabi Islamists sponsored by the ISI in Kashmir have long been trying to convert the state into a Wahabi Islamic state. They have been systematically trying to eliminate Sufis and Shia.
Madness.. touched its peak..
But why they are angry on the government ?
Yeah, burning down a fire engine and rioting while the authorities try to put out the blaze is really going to help. Makes one wonder if anyone should really try to help Muslims. They are their own worst enemies.
Kashmiris are again shooting at their feet..
@mubeen ahmad
There, right in that question, lies the answer to the most of the miseries of this world. If only all people were analytic as you are...
@Miya Mitthooo:
Not really. Please do enlighten us.
Looks like TTP hand in this also.....
Surely you can see who has done this and why? Killed two birds with one stone? Elementary My dear Watson......
when will these kashmiris grow up? This is accidental fire. Not caused by govt of India.
how come the sufi couldnt save his shrine?
The blaze is unfortunate but, i do not understand how throwing stones is a remedy. Especially, how torching a fire engine would help. Guess, a snake can express its love or anger only through a bite, the only mode of self-expression it knows of.