UP Hajj piligrims agitate over non-receipt of passport and visas

Lucknow, Nov 1 (UNI) Hundreds of Hajj pilgrims today created ruckus at Hajj House near Amausi airport over non-receipt of passports and visas and staged a 'chakka jam' on Lucknow-Kanpur highway this morning.

A large number of hajj pilgrims bound for Hajj flight found themselves in a quandary as they did not receive their passport and visas on time.

The senior UP minister and Chairman of State Hajj committee Naseemuddin Siddiqui had also to face the wrath of agitated Hajj pilgrims who gheraoed him demanding smooth conduct of Hajj pilgrimage.

It may be recalled that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had also expressed unhappiness over the plight of haj pilgrims alleging the Centre's apathy towards them.

The problem over Hajj yatra had sparked off since October 30 when the first Hajj flight from Lucknow embarkation point was cancelled at the last minute. The UP government had cried foul over this and had alleged that the External Affairs Minister and Central Hajj House were responsible for the goof up.

Senior state authorities reached the spot to pacify the Hajj pilgrims and 'Chakka Jam' was removed.

Meawnhile, a flight carrying one batch departed for Hajj pilgrimage but other affected pilgrims continued to vent their anger in the Hajj house.

A total of 22,000 Hajj pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh were to go for Hajj this year but many of them were dissatisfied with the facilities mainly pertaining to passport and visa.

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