Pilgrims ransacked Indian Haj Mission office in Mecca

Dubai, Dec 18 (UNI) The Indian Haj Mission office in Mecca has been ransacked by Indian Haj pilgrims, protesting over the non-availability of drinking water and poor transportation facilities.

According to eyewitness accounts, over 2000 pilgrims clashed with the mission staff yesterday, in the Indian Haj Mission office.

Later, they were dispersed only after the intervention of police.

About 18,000 Indian pilgrims, who paid for category one accommodation, protested over their distant housing arrangements, while others complained about shortcomings in their lodgings.

According to the Central Indian Haj Committee rules, a category one pilgrim should be given housing within 600-metre radius of the Grand Mosque, but they were housed 2 to 3 km away.

They complained that in spite of paying a huge sum of money, suitable accommodation was not provided to them.

Meanwhile, Indian Haj Consul Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan told The Saudi Gazette that the crisis occurred as there was a shortage of buildings near the Grand Mosque because of the ongoing construction work.

He, said 18,000 pilgrims, who had initially opted for category one accomodation, have been relocated to the Mahabas Al-Jinn area, while about 10,000 pilgrims who have chosen category two, have been moved to Aziziyah.

He also assured to reimburse back in India, all the pilgrims, who were compelled to stay in an inferior accommodation regardless of what they paid for.

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