Shia community calls off agitation over graveyard land

Mumbai, Aug 13 (UNI) The Khoja Shia Isnaa Shari Jamaat, representing 60 lakh members of the Shia community of Maharashtra, announced that it has called off its proposed day-long agitation at Azad Maidan here today.

President of Khoja Shia Isnaa Shari Jamaat Safdar Karmali today told mediapersons that the agitation was cancelled following an assurance from the state government.

He said the population of Shias in the state is 60 lakh and they have two graveyards--one at Sangli and another at Mazagaon in south Mumbai. The people have to travle a long distance for laying to rest the departed soul.

''In 1995, the then Shiv Sena-BJP government had allocated a piece of land at Mumbra in Thane district, but we are yet to get the possession of it'', he said.

''We hope that our problems would be solved after the government's assurance,'' Mr Karmali added.

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