It is undemocratic move: CM
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 13: Authorities today sealed all roads leading to “Martyrs’ graveyard” in Nowhatta area of Srinagar with political parties including those of the ruling National Conference claimed that several of their leaders were put under house arrest.
National Conference (NC) had applied to the District Magistrate Srinagar, seeking permission to pay homage to the “martyrs” of July 13, 1931. However, the district administration refused to grant permission.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the move by the Government as undemocratic. “In a blatantly undemocratic move homes have been locked from the outside, police & central forces deployed as jailers & major bridges in Srinagar blocked. All to stop people from visiting a historically important grave yard containing the graves of people who laid down their lives to give Kashmiris a voice & to empower them. I will never understand what the Law & Order Government is so afraid of,” he posted on X.
The NC spokesman and MLA Tanvir Sadiq in a post on X claimed that several party leaders have been placed under house arrest.
He said this is not just unfortunate but a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny the right to honour the martyrs of July 13.
The NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah denounced the imposition of restrictions that prevented party leaders, legislators, and YNC workers from visiting “Martyrs’ graveyard”.
He called the move as a “shameful assault on democratic values”. “The martyrs of 13 July 1931 laid down their lives for principles of justice, representation, and dignity, principles that are now enshrined in the very Constitution the government claims to uphold”, he said.
Former Chief Minister and President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, lashed out at the Government’s decision to restrict access to the “Martyrs’ Graveyard”.
Denouncing the lockdown-like restrictions and the reported detention of several PDP leaders, Mehbooba added, “When you lay siege to the Martyrs’ Graveyard and lock people in their homes to stop them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes.”
According to the PDP, several of its prominent leaders, including PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khurshid Alam Arif Laigaroo have been detained in Sadar Police station later alam was shifted to Humhama Police station, besides Zuhaib Mir, Hamid Kohsheen, , Sara Nayeema, Tabassum, Basharat Naseem, and others, were detained by police while attempting to pay homage at the site. “They had managed to step out despite the restrictions but were taken into custody en route,” a party spokesperson said.
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