SRINAGAR: The first batch of over 270 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday returned from Saudi Arabia after performing the annual haj.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah received the pilgrims at the Srinagar International Airport, and greeted them for performing the religious duty and wished them well-being and prosperity, an official spokesman said.
Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was accompanying the chief minister, the spokesman said.
As many as 272 Hajjies arrived on Saturday in the first flight after performing the pilgrimage.
In all, 7011 pilgrims had left for performing Haj from the state, of which five passed away during the 40-day pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca.
Sixteen intending Hajjies could not leave for Haj as they suffered severely due to devastating floods in the state, the spokesman said.
Jamaat starts sanitation drive in Rajbagh
Srinagar: Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday started 15 day sanitation drive in worst flood-hit Rajbagh area of Srinagar.
A spokesperson of JeI said that the groups volunteers who have come from different districts of the valley joined the drive. We started the drive today. Our volunteers will help people in cleansing their houses and locaties, Advocate Zahid Ali said.
Once considered a posh area, Rajbagh is now presenting a ghostly look. The water level in Rajbagh was around 25 feet submerging the houses, hotels, offices, guest houses, schools, shops and other buildings. Most of the structures in the area have either collapsed or have suffered damage. The area remained under water for more than 20 days and the water is still present at fewer places with people blaming government of inaction and failure.
Our volunteers will help people in cleaning houses and debris, collecting house-hold material and would sprinkle phenyl, he said, adding but we wont assist financially in any construction work.
He said the drive would continue till 25 October and if need arises, it would be extended. (GNS)
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