Srinagar, June 1 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday wrote to Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, seeking his intervention to ease the hardships being faced by returning Hajj pilgrims from the Union Territory with regard to their luggage.
The luggage of the Hajj pilgrims could not be flown back to Srinagar due to technical issues at Srinagar Airport, and the pilgrims have been informed that their baggage would be transported to J&K by road from Ahmedabad.
In his letter to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Omar Abdullah said that Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to J&K after performing the sacred pilgrimage were facing difficulties regarding their luggage.
“The pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and have undertaken this spiritual journey after years of devotion, preparation and aspiration, have expressed considerable concern regarding the arrangements made for the transportation of their checked-in baggage upon their return.
“It is learnt that due to ongoing maintenance works and operational constraints at Srinagar Airport, the checked-in baggage of the pilgrims could not be transported on the same flights carrying them back to Jammu & Kashmir.
“The baggage is being routed separately and transported by road from Ahmedabad, which is expected to result in a significant delay in its delivery to the pilgrims after their arrival.
“The situation has caused considerable disappointment and inconvenience to the returning Hajis and their families.
“It is customary for pilgrims to distribute Zamzam water, dates and other religious offerings among relatives, neighbours and well-wishers immediately upon their arrival.
“The delay in delivery of baggage has, therefore, not only caused practical difficulties but has also adversely affected the observance of cherished religious and social traditions associated with Hajj.”
Omar sought the minister’s intervention to ensure the transportation of the baggage of Hajj pilgrims returning to J&K safely and, wherever possible, concurrently with the pilgrims on the same flights to Jammu & Kashmir.
He said the timely and secure transportation of their baggage would not only avoid the genuine hardships presently being experienced by the pilgrims and their families but would also preserve the sanctity of items having deep religious and sentimental significance.
Omar said at the end of his missive: “I shall be grateful for an early and favourable consideration of the matter.”
–IANS
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