Srinagar, Jul 13 (UNI) Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday alleged that all roads leading to the graveyard of July 13 martyrs in the downtown Srinagar, have been blocked.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba further alleged that not allowing leaders of different political parties to offer fateha and pay tributes to them (martyrs) was an attempt to distort and rewrite Kashmir’s history.
Taking to micro-blogging site Mehbooba said, “Today on the occasion of Martyr’s day, gates leading to their graveyards have been locked up. Attempts to distort & rewrite Kashmir’s history is being done only to create a sense of defeat & helplessness amongst Kashmiris”.
“Nevertheless as we pay homage to the heroes of 13th July, 1931 our resolve to strive for restoration of J&Ks dignity remains firm”, she further tweeted.
The PDP in a letter to Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, had sought permission to visit and pay tributes to martyrs at the shrine of Khawaja Naqashbandi Sahib at Khawaja Bazar in the downtown. However, the request was allegedly turned down by the administration.
On this day in 1931, police during Dogra rule opened fire outside the Central Jail, Srinagar, on people who had gathered there to protest against the arrest of Abdul Qadeer for challenging the autocratic rule. Case of Qadeer was being heard in the jail when firing took place outside.
Besides official function to pay homage to martyrs, opposition parties were also paying floral tributes at the grave yard. Governors, Chief Ministers, other ministers and Director General’s of police were also paying tributes to martyrs on this day every year since 1948. However, the official holiday and functions were discontinued after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5, 2019. Last year no function was held due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
UNI
