Qur'an Desecration Sparks Fresh Tension In Kashmir

Srinagar, India, June 30, IRNA -- Amid tough security curbs on Friday morning, hundreds of people assembled in Gund Hassibhat, Lawaypora on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway to mourn the desecration of holy Quran and burning down of Alam Sharief. Kashmir has been tense for past five days due to a mysterious fire, which destroyed the 200-year-old shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani on June 25. Some religious groups had planned a rally on Friday but authorities imposed curfew in old Srinagar while “reasonable deployment” has been ordered in other towns. Protesters at lawaypora said Alam Sharief in a local Imam Bargah was burned down while a copy of Quran lay torn apart. Sources said hundreds of people from the adjoining areas took out a procession and later assembled in a mosque to mourn the sacrilege. According to reliable reports, late at night, few people had barged into mosque and desecrated the Quran and Alam Sherif. “Regarding the Shrines, they give the Short-circuit theory. Which short circuit burnt down our holy book and Alam Sherief? We want answers to these questions from the chief minister,” Ali Muhammad, a local resident said. The Valley had been witnessing relative calm for past two summers but the mysterious desecration of shrines and the latest fire incident has upset the situation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has blamed stone pelters for troubles caused by tough curbs and curfews./end