Mahant says attack ''unexpected'' in Ramzan; appeals for calm

Srinagar, Oct 4 (UNI) Mahant Deepinder Giri, the custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva, today termed ''unfortunate'' and ''unexpected'' the 'fidayeen (suicide)' attack on the historic Dashnami Akhara here during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

He appealed to all to maintain calm and uphold the rich traditions of communal amity and brotherhood.

Talking to UNI over phone from inside the Dashnami Akhara building here, the Mahant said, ''it is unfortunate and came as surprise to all of us. This (the attack) was unexpected and should not have taken place in the holy month of Ramzan.'' Mahant Giri was inside the heavily-guarded building when the fidayeen (members of the suicide attack) tried to storm the Dashnami Akhara, housing the holy mace of Lord Shiva, at around 1115 hrs.

However, he said the attack was more on security forces guarding the building then the historic temple.

''They (militants) should avoid such attacks in the holy month of Ramzan,'' said the Mahant who recently resigned from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha following the controversy over raising of the ''artificial'' Shivalingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir and over the proposal to extend the duration of the pilgrimage for one full year.

Mahant Giri said several people, including shopkeepers and bank employees, were held up in the temple premises.

He said earlier also few attempts abortive were made to storm the temple complex from where the holy mace leaves for the Amarnath cave shrine every year.

Without mentioning the Kashmir issue, the Mahant called for resolving the ''matter'' permanently through a dialogue process in peaceful manner.

''Till the issue is resolved, these incidents (attacks) are bound to happen,'' he said.

UNI AG VD VV1601