Minorities Commission for protection of historical shrines

New Delhi, July 2 (ANI): The National Commission for Minorities has expressed regret over a fire damaging the 200-year-old Peer Dastgir Sahib in Srinagar on June 25.

The commission has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to introduce adequate measures to protect shrines of historical importance.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had on Sunday said the Peer Dastgir Sahib shrine would be restored within two-and-a-half years.

"As the Chief Minister and Chairman of Muslim Waqaf Board, I would personally monitor the restoration of the revered shrine on the basis of its original structural characteristic," Omar said during an interaction with imams (prayer leaders) and khateebs (preachers).

Abdullah had earlier said the incident demanded imposition of restrictions in some parts of the city at the time, and he apologised to the people for the temporary inconvenience.

THE Peer Dastagir Sahib shrine is dedicated to 11th-century Sufi saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Geelani. (ANI)