Srinagar/Jammu, April 8 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has strongly condemned the blast at Maisuma, Srinagar in which Maulana Showkat Ahmad has lost his life.
Terming the act most heinous, Omar said that killing of a veteran religious scholar is a great loss to the society and those responsible for the crime have exhibited their inhuman behaviour towards the civil society and the innocents.
The Chief Minister conveyed his earnest sympathies to the bereaved family and expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of precious human life in the blast.
It may be mentioned here that at about 12:25 PM an IED blast took place near Ahl-e-Hadees Masjid in Maisuma area in Srinagar, Police said. Police said that two persons Mulana Showkat Ahmad Shah son of Mohammad Yousuf Shah resident of Lal Bazar Srinagar and Mukhtar Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Abdullah Mir resident of Maisuma were injured in this blast. Mulana Showkat Ahmad Shah later on succumbed to his injuries. The incident occurred at about 12:25 PM as the Maulana was about to enter the mosque for offering the Friday prayers
Police has started investigation. Inspector General of Police, S.M. Sahai who rushed to the spot has expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family and with the Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees.
Meanwhile various organizations of J&K condemned the assassination of Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees reliougs leader.
PDP Patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed And President Mehbooba Mufti have strongly condemned the assassination of noted religious leader and president of Jamiat Ahli Hadees Moulana Showkat Hussain Shah Sahib here today.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the attack on the religious leader which apart from taking away his life also resulted in death and injury to others the PDP leaders said violence was antithesis of both religion and politics. They said the late Moulana was engaged in conduct and pursuit of religious instruction and his departure from the scene would be felt by the entire society at large.
The PDP leaders said the attack against the late Moulana comes at a time when the society in Kashmir is fighting a grim battle for their rights and have strongly rejected violence as a means to achieve political goals. They said the murder is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of the situation in Kashmir to attempts at subverting the political and peaceful methods adopted by the people over the past several years for demanding their rights.
Conveying their heartfelt condolences to the families of Moulana showkat Ahmed Shah and the other victims of violence at Gowkadal Mufti and Mehbooba said no words could be sufficient to compensate their loss. These killings are another painful addition to the larger Kashmir tragedy, they said.
Others who expressed their shock and grief include Party General secretary Mohammed Dilawar Mir, senior leader Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Naeem Akhter, Ab Rehman Veeri, Mohd Sartaj Madni, Mohd Khalil Bandh, Ab Razaq Zawoora, Syed Bashir Ahmed, Ab Haq Khan, Mohd Rafi Mir and others.
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Nasir Aslam Wani has condemned the blast at Maisuma, Srinagar in which renowned religious leader Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah has lost his life.
Nasir expressed deep shock over the killing of religious scholar and described it great lost to the society. He said the elements behind the act have exhibited their inhuman behaviour towards the society.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon has condemned the killing of religious scholar, Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah today who got killed in a blast incident before Friday prayers. He has expressed grief and sorrow and also expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family.
CPI(M) expresses profound grief over the killing of noted religious leader, islamic scholar and intellectual, Moulna Showkat Ahmad Shah, President, J&K Jamiat-i-Ahlihadees.
The killing is a heinous and barbaric act. This unfortunate death is a big tragedy for all the people as the religious luminary was a highly respected in the society. Words fail to condemn this barbaric murder. Only enemies of Kashmir and its people benefit from such heinous acts.
We join millions of mourners in this hour of grief and appeal to the people to raise their voice against the perpetrators.
Former Minister and MLC Abdul Gani Vakil today in a statement strongly condemned the brutal killing of the religious leader Maulana Showkat Shah and said that the nation has lost a religious luminary whose contribution in the religious field as well as in the creation of peaceful atmosphere in the state is immense and unforgettable.
Mr. Vakil demanded high level probe in the unfortunate incident and stressed upon the Government that whosoever is involved in this brutal killing should be brought to book as early as possible.
Senior Leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and vice chairman of Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza has strongly denouncing the killing of prominent religious leader and President of Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadith, Maulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, termed it as an act of terrorism meant to harm the unity of the people of Kashmir and such killings are unacceptable. Waza said that the martyred leader had earned a place in the heart of his people for his commitment and steadfastness in the Kashmir struggle. He said that the people of Kashmir had lost a great son who was needed most at the present critical juncture. “The perpetrators of this crime need to be brought to justice, he added.
Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the unfortunate incident of grenade attack at Maisuma today in which an eminent scholar and President Jamait-i-Ahal-i-Hadees Moulana Showkat was killed and several others injured.
In a condolence message issued here today Mubarak Gul said that Moulana Showkat was not only a religious scholar but also a social leader who always worked for the selfless services of poor and destitute.
He said that Moulan Showkat will be remembered also as a honest, sincere and promising person who fought for communal harmony, amity and brotherhood among various sections of the society throughout his life.
Gul prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. The Advisor also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured persons in the incident.
Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr A. R. Rather has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic death of the President Jamait-Alhadees Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah.
Mr Rather said that Malanua was a prominent social and religious leader who always stood for truth and justice. He was a staunch believer that service to humanity is real service to the God and never compromised on principles. He dedicated his entire life for the service of humanity and advocated for upholding moral values to cleanse the society from social evils.
His demise has created a vacuum in the social and religious circles, Mr Rather maintained and hoped that almighty may grant his family the courage to overcome the irreparable loss.
Minister for Rural Development, Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of Malauna Showkat Ahmad Shah, President Jamait-Alhadees and one of the leading religious scholars of the State.
Describing Maulana as one of the prominent religious luminaries of the State, Mr Sagar said that he always stood for upholding the values of truth and justice and believed in service to humanity irrespective of any preferential treatment. He further maintained that he worked tirelessly throughout his life for upholding high moral values and cleansing the society from evils.
Mr Sagar said that his untimely demise has created void in the socio-religious circles of the State which would be difficult to fill up.
The Minister prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and hoped that almighty may give his family the courage to overcome this tragic loss.