Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 12: Residents living around historic Pather Masjid today alleged that the Department of Archeology was impeding the repairs and renovations of Masjid for unknown reasons.
The residents, who are also taking care of the Masjid, said that the department was not letting the Auqaf or even the residents to take up the repair works on their own leading to a bad condition of the historical site.
“The Department of Archeology has been impeding the repair works of the Masjid; it comes under their control but they do not take up steps to do that. We went there so many times, but they turn a deaf ear,” said Gulzar Ahmad Baba, a resident.
The residents said that the department is not letting even the Auqaf do the repairs and the residents are being accused of defacing the historical building. “While they do not even let Auqaf do the works, they are threatening us of police action if we do anything,” said another resident.
They demanded that the repairs and renovation work on Masjid should be initiated as soon as possible; otherwise, the residents will be forced to block roads in the area.
“The department is not allowing any works here because they say it is heritage, but they will have to understand, unlike others, this is an active monument which needs constant care and renovation,” they said, adding if the repairs are not undertaken “we will be forced to block roads and press for our demands.”
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