 S T Haq
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA (Uri), Dec 28: The sacred shrine of Sufi Saint Masoom Shah Bukhari, alias, Baba Qazi Nag in Kamalkote area has been victim of official apathy and neglect even though many devotees come here to pay their obeisance.
According to residents of Kamalkote Uri , in 16th century a Sufi saint locally known as, 'Chhota Pir' was born in the Uch-Baluch village of Multan in Pakistan, belonging to Bukhari race of the Syed dynasty which migrated to Uri area.
"He flew across the cave area of Pir Panjal-Chhota Kazi Nag, here he spent his life in spiritual pursuit and devoted his life to Allah", said locals.
They said that, thousands of devotees visited his shrine that is located on the hills of Kamalkote area, some forty-fifty kilometers away in the north -west of Uri.
However sources said that, the structure was either got damaged during 2005 earthquake, but the tomb of the saint is visible in air there which has brought attention of the local devotees.
"Many roads were magdamized in Uri area under different centrally sponsored schemes, but this road was left in dangerously dilapidated condition", locals mentioned.
Bashir Khan of Kamalkote told Early Times that the road that leads to the shrine looks like a compressed bridge (Pulli-Surat) that means it is a testimony for the devotees who could reach there over the mountainous rocks and boulders.
The government has never paid any heed towards the problems of general public of Kamalkote and its adjoining areas, the locals also said that, the area is close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector, during cross fire from the two sides.
" We cannot run safely or take safe shelters as people are living in 'Kothas, mud houses that are under the hillocks due to poverty. These tribal (pahari people) have many times requested the government to construct the roads in their areas, but all went in vain.
The devotees that come across from different regions for paying their obeisance at this revered shrine, have requested the Governor administration to direct the authorities concerned for construction of road that leads to the shrine of Baba Qazi Nag, for the safety of devotees. |
