Tight security in Srinagar as routes to martyrs’ graveyard closed before July 13

Srinagar, July 12 (IANS) A day ahead of July 13, authorities on Sunday sealed all routes leading to the martyrs’ graveyard in the old city area of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. July 13 was observed as a state holiday in Jammu and Kashmir until 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories.

On July 13, 1931, protesters stormed the Srinagar Central Jail, where a Pathan butler, Abdul Qadeer, was being tried for allegedly making a provocative speech against the Maharaja’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

Guards at the Central Jail opened fire on the mob in 1931, killing 22 protesters. Those killed in the firing were taken in a large procession and buried in the courtyard of the Naqshband Sahib mosque in Srinagar.

Since 1931, July 13 had been observed as Martyrs’ Day, with floral tributes being paid by the party in power and other political leaders at the graveyard.

After 2019, the practice was discontinued and July 13 was also removed from the list of public holidays in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ruling National Conference has announced that its leaders and workers will visit the graveyard on Sunday to offer floral tributes to those killed in 1931.

Authorities have sealed all roads leading to the graveyard, and it is unlikely that anyone will be allowed to visit the site on Sunday.

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), told reporters that authorities had placed her mother under house arrest on Saturday to prevent her from visiting the martyrs’ graveyard on Sunday.

Senior religious leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had also announced on Friday that he would visit the martyrs’ graveyard on July 13 in a peaceful procession to pay tribute to those killed in the 1931 firing.

Ahead of the July 13 observance, the administration on Saturday sealed all routes leading to the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in Nowhatta and deployed police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in strength across the area.

The entry point from Khanyar and the route leading to the graveyard from the Nowhatta-Jamia Masjid side have been closed, with police vehicles stationed at both locations.

A heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel has also been made outside the graveyard, while additional security personnel have been posted at other entry and exit points.

Vehicular movement on the roads leading to the graveyard has been suspended and access to the graveyard has been completely restricted.

–IANS

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