Srinagar: All roads leading to Naqshband Sahib graveyard in the old city were barred for politicians on Sunday, a day before Martyrs’ Day.
July 13 is commemorated as Martyrs’ Day in Jammu and Kashmir as a tribute to the 22 persons who were killed by the Dogra army outside Srinagar’s central jail in 1931.
A siege of concertina wires, plastic barricades, GI sheets and poles was laid near Nowhatta to prevent the leaders’ march to the graveyard tomorrow.
Sources in the establishment said the measure was aimed at preventing a repeat of last year’s high drama, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scaled a fence to offer tributes to the martyrs after police locked the gates.
The police in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir report to the Lieutenant Governor.
Last year, ahead of the day, Omar Abdullah and many other leaders were put under house arrest.
Despite restrictions, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah took an autorickshaw from the Khanyar crossing to the memorial, while Education Minister Sakina Itoo surprised everyone by riding pillion on a scooter to join the veteran politician.
The chief minister climbed over the main gate of the graveyard to offer ‘fateha’. His security men and several other party leaders followed him, eventually forcing the police to throw the gate open.
On July 13, 1931, 22 people were gunned down by the Dogra army outside Srinagar’s central jail.
In 2020, the LG-led administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti has been placed under house arrest ahead of Martyrs’ Day observance here, her daughter Iltija Mufti claimed Sunday.
“We have been placed under house arrest on the eve of Martyrs’ Day for reasons best known to JK Police,” Iltija posted on X.
“This is the normalcy they claim to have established in Kashmir? Make no mistake, the local government too is hand in glove using police in Sidhra to demolish homes and place opponents in detention when convenient,” Iltija alleged.
