People Barred To Offer Prayers At Graveyard In Srinagar
Srinagar, May 08 : Many people were on Friday let very disappointed as paramilitary Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) did not allow them inside a graveyard adjacent to Sheep Husbandry Office at Mill Stop Nowshera Srinagar.
“We cannot open door as there are clear instructions not to allow anyone inside,” one of the personnel manning a bunker next to the main entrance of the gate to the graveyard said as an individual requested him to let him offer prayers.
“What happen today?” the individual, wearing mask as part of the administration’s directive, politely asked.
“People were allowed in past also including during the lockdown. I’m only one individual and there is no threat of Covid-19. I will complete prayers in less than 5 minutes. Please allow me. This offers me some solace and connects with my mother who is buried inside the graveyard,” the individual pressed on.
“Cannot let you as there are clear cut instructions from local police station not to allow anybody inside,” the personnel responded.
The locals of the area said that many other people who had gone individually at different spans of time to the graveyard were also not allowed today.
“Even if a Covid-19 patient is buried inside the graveyard, there is no threat of virus spread as per experts. While mass religious gatherings have been barred, offering prayers at graveyard by people individually should be allowed at all time. It is a matter of emotions, faith and it gives eternal solace,” said another person who also left disappointed after not being allowed entry inside the graveyard having buildings in vicinity which house SSB personnel.
A police officer at police station Zadibal told GNS the measure has been taken in wake of death of a person due to Covid-19 within the police station’s jurisdiction. The Covid-19 victim was a resident of Hawal Srinagar, which is more than a kilometer from the graveyard.