By Team Clarion
FARRUKHABAD – Tension spread in parts of Farrukhabad district in Uttar Pradesh after unidentified miscreants attacked a historic Shia shrine late Wednesday, vandalised graves and set fire to religious items, causing fear among members of the minority community.
The incident took place at the Maula Ali Najaf ul Ashraf shrine, located on Chilsara Road under the Maudarwaja police station area. The shrine is regarded as a sacred site by the local Shia community.
According to residents, unknown persons entered the shrine during the night and damaged two graves belonging to Hafiz and Haji. The attackers then set fire inside the premises.
The flames quickly spread and burnt tazias, alams and mehndi kept inside the shrine. Fire also engulfed the roofs and balconies of tazias stored in an old adjoining structure. Thick smoke covered the area, and flames could be seen from a distance.
People living nearby rushed to the spot after noticing the fire.
Sabir Ali, who is associated with the management of the shrine, described the moment he discovered the incident.
“As soon as I opened the lock of the shrine, I saw flames inside,” he said. “I immediately informed Mutawalli Sharif Hussain Rizvi.”
Sharif Hussain Rizvi said the fire spread quickly because the building was old. “The fire was raging in the area where the tazias were kept behind. Since it was an old building, the fire spread rapidly. We informed the Maudarwaja police station and officials. The fire brigade arrived, and after a lot of effort, the fire was brought under control,” he said.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
