Srinagar: Kashmir Valley on Thursday observed a complete shutdown to remember the martyrs of July 13, 1931, while the authorities imposed restrictions in most parts of the Valley including the old Srinagar areas to foil the march called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) at different places.
The shutdown call for today was given by JRL including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik to remember the 22 Kashmiris martyred by the troops of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931 after the people rose against the autocratic ruler.
The leadership had appealed people to observe this day as ‘Youm-e-Shuhada’.
Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik were also scheduled to lead a protest march today at Hyderpora, Jamia Masjid and Maisuma respectively.
However, Geelani was not allowed to lead a rally as he continued to remain under house detention while Malik continued to remain under detention at Srinagar’s Central Jail. The Hurriyat (M) chief who tried to reach Jamia Masjid to lead a protest was detained on way by the police.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed across the valley and traffic was off the roads. Government offices also remained closed as State observes July 13 as a holiday.
Since the wee hours of this morning, contingents of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads, lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar to thwart any protest demonstration.
The restrictions were imposed in several areas including Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Kralkhud and others.
In Khanyar area of old Srinagar where the Martyrs Graveyard is located, the forces erected concertina wires at road junctions to halt the vehicular and pedestrian movement.
The residents in Nowhatta, Khnayar and other adjacent areas said that the forces deployed on the roads were not allowing anyone to pass through the main roads.
Besides, the authorities here have suspended the mobile internet services in Kashmir while the services were suspended in Srinagar since Wednesday morning after the three Hizb militants were killed in an encounter in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931.
On this morning, Mehbooba who was accompanied by senior Ministers of the ruling PDP arrived at the Martyrs’ graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of the old city here.
A guard of honour was also presented by a contingent of the state police and floral tributes were also paid.
The National Conference (NC) president also visited the martyrs’ graveyard and paid floral tributes to the martyrs of Jul 13, 1931.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief, G A Mir accompanied by Senior Party colleagues also paid floral tributes to Martyrs and recalled their selfless services and sacrifices given for the suppressed people.
Awami Itehaad party (AIP) president and MLA Langate also piad floral tributes to the martyrs. He alongwith his scores of supporters also staged protest against the civilian killings.
According to KNS Correspondent, Er Rashid and his party workers were carrying banners and play cards reading “Stop killings, Save students, Save youth” and raised anti-government slogans.
However, Er Rashid and his supporters left the venue peacefully later.
Meanwhile, a police official told KNS that the situation across the Valley today remained peaceful and under control. “No untoward incident was reported in any part of the Valley,” the official said. (KNS)
