SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader and former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir on Thursday urged the government to ensure proper arrangements in view of Muharram-ul-Haram.
In a statement issued here, Mir said the administration should put in place all the requisite arrangements and ensure the mourners are not subjected to any kind of inconvenience across Jammu and Kashmir. “JKAP calls upon the divisional administrations of Jammu and Kashmir divisions to take a holistic review of the preparations in the Shia dominated localities for the smooth observance of this holy month,” he demanded.
Emphasizing on the special arrangements that need to be made in prevailing situation that emerged due to COVID-19 pandemic; Mir said that besides providing an uninterrupted water and power supply during the auspicious days, the government must ensure fumigation of all Imambaras and provide free of cost face masks and hand sanitizers to the devotees.
“The government should take all precautions and ensure strict implementation of social and health protocols under COVID-19 guidelines through the religious heads at Imambaras so as to stem the spread of deadly Coronavirus. All the departments must work in tandem so that Muharram Mourners may not face any kind of inconvenience,” he added.
He said that PDD authorities should ensure that all street lights are made fully functional besides High Mast lights/ Halogen Bulbs and LEDs are in place at all important places and besides ensuring generator sets are installed at identified locations in entire district Budgam and Srinagar districts.
Similarly, Mir said the PHE authorities should ensure that water tanks are provided at identified locations besides ensuring uninterrupted water supply. The government should also ensure that the dilapidated roads if any from where the procession would take place are repaired at the earliest. Mir demanded that the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department should ensure adequate supply and prompt distribution of ration, and LPG.
The JKAP leader also appealed to the people, especially Muharram Mourners to follow all SOPs and guidelines to avoid getting infected with deadly Coronavirus.
or and former Minister A Rahman Khan, who recently recovered from COVID-19, died here on Thursday.
He was 77 and died of heart attack, his family said.
“He was treated at a hospital for a week (recently). He was discharged after he recovered from COVID. This morning he suffered a heart attack and passed away,” Khan”s son, Dr Subair Khan told P T I.
A DMK headquarters release said for three days party flags would fly at half-mast and no party programmes shall be held as a mark of respect for the departed leader, a member of the party”s high level working committee.
Condoling Khan”s death and paying rich tributes, party chief M K Stalin, hailed him for his oratory and relentless party work.
He said he was grieved by the loss of the “elder brother” who was among the foundation pillars of the organisation.
When late AIADMK founder leader M G Ramachandran helmed the state as Chief Minister between 1977 and 1987 Khan, alongwith DMK”s Duraimurugan and K Subbu were noted for resolutely taking up their party”s stand on many matters in the Assembly.
His performance in the House earned him the sobriquet of “Sattamandra Porval” (Assembly sword) from DMK men.
Also, Khan, along with his two other colleagues were hailedas “Idi, Minnal and Mazhai” (Thunderstorm, lightning and rain) by partymen for their oratory, targeting arch rival AIADMK.
He was first elected from Chepauk Assembly constituency in 1977 and won twice more from the same segment in 1980 and 1984.
He emerged victorious from Park Town and Ramanathapuram seats in 1989 and 1996.
Thereafter he lost in 2001 (Ramanathapuram) and 2006 (Park Town) Assembly elections and did not fight polls after that.
A native of Theni district, he was an advocate by profession and a columnist in DMK organ ”Murasoli.”
Between 1996-2001, as state Minister he held the portfolios of Labour Welfare and Waqf Board, and for sometime Revenue and Law.
