Srinagar, July 13 (IANS) Authorities on Monday imposed partial restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city to maintain law and order in view of proposed processions and functions announced by various regional political parties, including the ruling National Conference, in connection with ‘Martyrs Day’.

Police said restrictions have been imposed in five police station areas in the old city of Srinagar, including Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gung, Safa Kadal and Zadibal. Police said the restrictions are purely for law and order maintenance and do not include any emergency movement in the areas.

Since Sunday evening, authorities have sealed all routes leading to the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ in the old city area of Srinagar. July 13 used to be observed as a state holiday in the erstwhile J&K till 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, and the 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 making a provocative speech against the Maharaja’s rule in J&K.

Guards at the central jail fired at the mob in 1931, and 22 protesters were killed in that firing incident.

Those killed in the firing on July 13, 1931, were taken in a huge procession and buried in the courtyard of the Naqsband Sahib mosque in Srinagar city.

Since 1931, July 13 has been observed as the ‘martyrs’ day’, and floral tributes would be paid by the party in power and other politicians at the graveyard.

After 2019, the practice was disallowed, and July 13 was also removed from the list of public holidays in the union territory.

The ruling National Conference has announced that its leaders and workers will go to the graveyard to offer floral tributes to the 1931 martyrs.

Authorities have sealed all roads leading to the graveyard, and it is unlikely anyone is allowed to visit the graveyard.

Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Peoples Democratic Party leader, told reporters on Sunday that authorities have placed her mother under house arrest so that she is prevented from going to the martyrs’ graveyard.

Senior religious leader and chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also announced on Friday that he would go to the graveyard in a peaceful procession to pay tribute.

Ahead of the observance of July 13, the administration had sealed all routes leading to Martyrs Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in Nowhatta and deployed police and 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 has been completely restricted.

–IANS

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