Politics

Kashmiri leaders were prevented from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada amid strict restrictions in Srinagar

Many mainstream Kashmiri politicians were restricted from moving freely in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, Martyrs Day

July 13, 2023

Kashmir’s mainstream parties deplore restrictions, House arrest of Separatists to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada

Restrictions were imposed on the smooth movement of several mainstream Kashmiri politicians on the occasion of Martyrs Day in Kashmir Valley on Thursday.

Former chief minister and Chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti claimed she was placed under house arrest to prevent her from visiting the Mazar-e-Shuhada.

On the other hand, the Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, former chief minister Omar Abdullah was seen walking on foot along with a handful of close party aides after he was denied escort vehicles and the security cover of ITBP jawans. Omar arrived at the party headquarters and was determined to go ahead with his schedule.

Interacting with the media Omar said, “Jammu & Kashmir police stopped my vehicles & my security so I had to walk to the office… They wanted to stop me from paying tributes to the martyrs of July 13… Article 370 matter is already in the Supreme Court and I am sure that the CJI will not side with the government…”

Before the Abrogation of Article 370, leaders belonging to the mainstream political parties would converge at the Mazar-e-Shuhada at Ziyarat Hazrat Naqshband Sahib (RA) in Shehar-e-Khaas, Srinagar to offer floral tributes to the 13th July 1931 martyrs.

After the Abrogation of Article 370 and reorganization of the erstwhile state into two Union territories on August 5, 2019, two public holidays, on July 13 along with the birth anniversary of former chief minister Sheikh Abdullah celebrated on December 5, were both omitted from the list by the administration in December 2019.

Expressing his angst against the restrictions Omar tweeted, “Dear @JmuKmrPolic 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.

Dear @JmuKmrPolice 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. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

Now that I’ve got to the office & will go ahead with my program 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, @AliMSagar_Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb, and others.

Peoples Democratic Party also claimed their party Chief has been placed under house arrest and curbs were imposed on the movement of senior leaders.

The Twitter handle of JKPDP tweeted, “PDP Prez@MehboobaMufti 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 dishonored”.

PDP Prez @MehboobaMufti 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.
— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) July 13, 2023

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also posted a tweet after returning from the main gate of her residence. “I’m under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyr’s graveyard today. This is at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji, Gowalkar & Godse who spread hatred & division can’t be forced on us. For us those who sacrificed their lives for democracy to take root in J&K will always be admired for their act of courage. We won’t allow you to distort our history or forget our heroes. On the occasion of Martyrs Day, I salute their courage for valiantly fighting against despots to the end”.

Im under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyr’s graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar &… pic.twitter.com/JkySNQcEcq
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2023

The Apni Party also paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931. In a tweet, the JKAPNI party said, ” APNI pays glowing tributes to the martyrs of 1931, who laid down their lives in the struggle for democracy in J&K. The party pledges to safeguard & strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the region”.

Apni Party pays glowing tributes to the martyrs of 1931, who laid down their lives in the struggle for democracy in J&K. The party pledges to safeguard & strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the region.#MartyrsOf1931 #ApniParty #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/KfH3KLOagS
— J&K Apni Party (@Apnipartyonline) July 13, 2023

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