Omar orders immediate restoration of gutted shrine
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered immediate restoration of gutted Dastageer Sahib Shrine at Khanyar strictly as per its heritage characteristics.
"The restoration of the revered Shrine should be strictly based on its heritage characteristics," Omar told the Waqaf Board at a high-level meeting convened to discuss measures for restoration of Shrine last evening.
The Head of the INTACH, J and K Chapter, Mohammad Saleem Beg presented the images, photographs and digital documentation of the heritage structure of the 200-year-old Shrine.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the heritage documentation of the Shrine by the INTACH. He said this documentation could provide required basis for restoring the Shrine as per its original structure.
Omar also directed the Waqaf Board to immediately notify the measures and put in place befitting mechanism to safeguard the revered Shrines in the state.Meanwhile, the Restoration Plan of the Shrine was also discussed with the Sajada Nasheen (custodian) of the shrine) Syed Khalid Geelani.
The Chief Minister said the suggestions and viewpoint of Geelani, Management Committee and the experts in heritage restoration should be factored in the process of restoration of the Shrine.
