CM Omar Abdullah now faces ‘renovation restrictions’ at Hazratbal shrine, reports The Telegraph

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 01 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was reportedly denied access to the main sanctum of the Hazratbal shrine this week, reveals an online report by The Telegraph today.
The report states that hurdles were allegedly put in place by the Waqf Board to make the CM unable to access the main sanctum.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the report states that the incident happened on Thursday and unfolded quietly away from the public glare.
“Omar had to content himself with merely peering through the glass to get a glimpse of the ‘under-construction’ sanctum at Hazratbal. The party apparently did not make an issue out of it this time, underscoring Omar’s waning clout, reports The Telegraph.
Giving details of the CM Omar’s visit on Thursday to the shrine to chair a high-level meeting to review the arrangements being put in place for the ongoing Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi festival, the report quoting eyewitnesses said, “Omar, accompanied by senior officers, was received by Waqf chairperson Dararkshan Andrabi. Omar sahab entered the shrine through the VIP gate, where Andrabi presented a bouquet to him. He wanted to enter the main hall of the shrine but was politely told by Andrabi that it would be inaugurated in a few days and nobody was allowed in.”
The CM didn’t make an issue of it and went downstairs to take a look around the shrine. He had to return without entering the main hall, the report said.
Meanwhile, Waqf Board officials have said the shrine was getting a major facelift for the last eight months and the main hall — where prayers were held and the Prophet’s relic displayed on special occasions before renovations — has been out of bounds for devotees. Daily prayers are currently held in a side hall.
“Ply-sheets have been erected to block the view of the main shrine to prevent people from even catching a glimpse or clicking pictures as the waqf board is planning a big inauguration,” a waqf board official has said to The Telegraph.
(Straight Talk Communications)