SRINAGAR: Following the tradition set by the previous NC government PDP led government Monday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar and placed top Hurriyat leadership under house arrest to thwart a rally called by them to mark the annual Martyrs Day.
Though, there was no shutdown call from any part of the group, normal life was crippled in Srinagar city as restrictions had been imposed in the police jurisdiction of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safa Kadal and Maisuma.
Despite restrictions and elaborate security arrangements, separatist leaders at a number of places in Srinagar city tried to march towards barricaded Martyrs Graveyard at Naqashbandh Sahab.
The activists of Peoples Freedom League, Muslim League, Peoples League, Mass Movement and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat tried to take out a procession near Shaheed Ganj, however, police swung into action and arrested a number of activists.
Muslim Democratic League activists under the chairmanship of Hakim Abdul Rashid took out a procession at Botakadal Lal Bazar. Carrying placards and banners the activists denounced the government action of putting separatist leaders under house arrest and barring people from visiting the Martyrs graveyard. The protesters including Hakim Abhul Rashid were bundled into police vehicles and detained at Police Station Lal Bazar.
Senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Maulana Abbas Asnsari and Nayeem Khan were restricted to their houses to prevent their participation in a joint rally to commemorate the martyrdom of 22 Kashmiris killed in police firing outside the central jail in Srinagar this day in 1931 during the reign of Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh.
And They Stopped Grand Children of Martyrs Too
SRINAGAR: The heirs of July 1931 martyrs Monday alleged that from past many years the successive State Governments do not allow them to offer floral tributes and fateha at Martyrs Grave Yard located at Naqashbandh Sahab Nowhatta Srinagar.
The grandson of a martyr Ghulam Muhammad Halwai from Jamia Masjid Srinagar was seen pleading before the security men to allow him towards the martyrs cemetery, but when all his attempts proved futile, the old man returned with a grim face, cursing the rulers and men in uniform.
At the extreme end of Jamia Masjid, the grandson and grand-daughter of July 31 martyr Khizr Muhammad were eagerly waiting to cross over the concertina wire, that had been laid to restrict the movement of the people. We are the heirs of the martyrs. People of Kashmir have every right to visit the Naqashbandh Sahab graveyard to offer their respect for these martyrs, but it has become the practice of the autocratic government to bar people from visit the graveyard, said Muhammad Shafi.
Same views were expressed by the family members of Naseeruddin Ahmed of Chinkral Mohalla Habba Kadal one of the 13 July 1931 martyrs. It is irony that PDP led government requests its alliance partner to visit the martyrs graveyard, but does not allow its own people to visit it. Mainstream politicians have no right to go there, said a family member.
When police did not allow the ailing old sister of a martyr to move towards Naqashbandh sahab, one of the Congress leaders Muhammad Sultan Handoo appealed and requested a police officer to let the old lady cross the barricades, but the officer did not oblige. This is injustice and an act of oppression. The people of Kashmir especially the heirs of martyrs are forcibly stopped on this historic day. What far these political workers were allowed to visit the graveyard, just to listen to the speech of Mufti. It is shame that government has made it a practice to play with the sentiments of the people on July 13 every year, Mandoo told this reporter.
Gone are the days when late Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Bakhshi Ghulam Muhamamd used to visit the families of the July 13 martyrs. Bakhshi used to befriend these families. But now, not speaking of visiting the martyrs families, government even did not allow them to visit the grave yard, Congress leaders said. (CNS)
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