Top politicians from Jammu and Kashmir have accused the administration of barring them for imposing restrictions on Martyr’s Day to prevent them from going to Martyrs’ Graveyard in the middle of Srinagar.
The day is being observed every year since 1948 in memory of those who revolted against the then Dogra rule on July 13, 1931.
“Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs,” National Conference, tweeted.
Omar, while tagging the twitter handle of Jammu and Kashmir police said: “Don’t think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I’ll walk to where I have to get to & that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”
“Now that I’ve got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, Ali Mohammad Sagar Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others, he said in another tweet.
Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister of erstwhile state, Mehbooba Mufti was also barred by authorities to pay homage to 1931 Martyrs.
“President Mehbooba Mufti has been put under house arrest & curbs imposed on the movement of senior leaders. Sad the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for democracy are being dishonoured. Vehemently condemn the action of admin preventing us from commemorating the martyr’s,” PDP said.
Peoples Conference led by Sajjad Lone tweeted: “Disturbed by the authorities’ decision to restrict the JKPC Provincial President Kashmir Khurshid Alam movement from paying homage to the martyrs of Kashmir at Mazhar-e-Shohada in Khanyar today.”