Today On Martyrs’ Day, Govt decides to impose restrictions in Srinagar areas; Separatist leaders placed under house arrest

Kashmir is observing Martyrs’ Day on Monday to pay tributes to 22 people killed on July 13, 1931 by the Dogra Army outside Srinagar Central Jail.

The government has decided to impose restriction in areas falling under six police stations in the summer capital to prevent protests.

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, National Front Chairman Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Democratic Freedom Party Chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah have been put under house arrest while scores of pro-freedom activists have been detained by police, reports said. Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik earlier announced to address a joint rally at Martyrs’ Graveyard in Old Srinagar on Monday.

“We have decided to impose restrictions in areas falling under six police stations of Srinagar tomorrow,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SyedJavidMujtabaGillani told Greater Kashmir.

A police official said Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has issued orders imposing restrictions in jurisdictions of police stations Maisuma, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safakadal and M R Gunj.

The official said additional police forces would be deployed in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir to thwart protest demonstrations.

Reports said since Sunday morning, heavy contingents of police have been deployed at residences of Geelani, Malik and Mirwaiz.

Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said police detained him in his house. “Geelani is already under house arrest while police Sunday raided houses of many Hurriyat (G) activists ahead of Martyrs’ Day rally,” he said.

Hurriyat (M) spokesperson Shahid-ul-Islam said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house around ‘Sehri’ time on Sunday.

JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was also put under house arrest on Saturday evening while JKLF member Noor Muhammad Kalwal was detained by police yesterday.

Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan are already under house detention. Police has also detained Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai.

Pertinently, separatists put up a joint face Saturday evening at Geelani’s residence. Mirwaiz Umar, Yasin Malik attended an Iftaar party organized by Hurriyat (G) and vowed to carry on freedom struggle together.

Meanwhile, separatist and mainstream leaders Sunday paid rich tributes of July 13 martyrs.

Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief SyedaAasiyehAndrabi said the best way to pay tribute to July 13 martyrs is to take their mission to its logical conclusion.

A spokesman of Hurriyat (M) condemned government action of placing separatist leaders under house arrest.

He also condemned ‘raids’ on residences of Hurriyat leaders Hilal War and Javaid Ahmad Mir.

Paying tributes to martyrs of July 13, 1931, Chairman United Jihad Council Syed Salahudin Sunday said the best tribute to martyrs is to take their mission to logical conclusion.

In an e-mailed statement to KNS, UJC spokesman Syed Sadaqat said Salahudin while addressing a special session of UJC in Muzzaffarabad has highlighted the importance of July 13 and said the day has actually laid the foundation of Kashmir’s freedom movement when 22 youth were killed by Dogra rulers.

UJC Chairman, as per the spokesman, has also urged the Hurriyat leadership to show unity and adopt common strategy for the larger benefit of Kashmir cause.

Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Muhammad YousufTarigami paid glowing tributes to July 13, 1931 martyrs.