House panel to probe Mubarak Mandi blaze

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 16

The J&K Government today said a House Committee would be constituted to probe the 2009 Mubarak Mandi fire after members of the ruling BJP-PDP combine created a ruckus in the Legislative Council.

The lawmakers demanded a probe into the incident in the heritage complex which was once the seat of power of erstwhile Dogra rulers of the state. “It is a sensitive issue and an inquiry should be conducted by the House Committee and truth should come to fore,” a BJP lawmaker demanded.

Noisy scenes were witnessed during Question Hour, as the BJP and PDP accused the then NC-Congress Government of conspiracy.

“It needs to be ascertained whether the items from ‘Tosha Khana’ were shifted before or after the fire incident,” said BJP’s Ashok Khujuria.

The PDP lawmakers also supported the demand for the House Committee probe. Amid the uproar, Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology and Technical Education Imran Ansari said the House Committee would hold a probe into the fire incident.

Earlier, replying on behalf of the Culture Minister to a question on Rani Gargi Blowria, Ansari said that Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society was constituted on December 28, 2006, and after its constitution only one fire incident occurred on February 9, 2009.

The minister said that Mubarak Mandi Complex stands declared as state-protected monument and steps had been taken for its restoration and preservation. He said that the park and historical Chabutra was demolished in June 2014.