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Rediff.com  » News » Indian Haj pilgrims attack mission office

Indian Haj pilgrims attack mission office

Source: PTI
January 02, 2006 14:57 IST
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A group of Indian pilgrims, who were allegedly deprived of water for three days in Mecca, attacked a branch office of their Haj Mission over the weekend.

Computers, printers, and furnishings of the mission in the area were destroyed in the attack. The violence also left a pilgrim injured.

Pilgrims residing in a building in Aziziah, Mecca had repeatedly complained to the Indian officials about their suffering caused by the absence of water supply, The Arab News reported.

Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed said one particular building had water problem after the motor pumping the supply broke down. "The building owner arranged for another motor but that too conked out. Subsequently, water was supplied through tankers," he said.

A pilgrim, identified as Muhammad, said, "We had to go to the Holy Haram early in the morning without a wash. We thought our complaints would be attended to by the time we returned. But we found that our complaints fell on deaf ears."

One of the pilgrims said they attacked the mission as there was, "No other course left."

Official sources say that this is the first time that Indian pilgrims are camping in Aziziah, which is 5 km from the Holy Haram.

The Indian mission rented eight buildings here to accommodate some 12,000 pilgrims who were included after the official list of 82,000 pilgrims coming through the Haj Committee of India was finalised.

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