Kashmir observes Martyrs' Day; curfew in parts of Srinagar

Curfew-like-restrictions have been imposed in six localities in Srinagar on Monday to thwart a united separatist march on Martyrs' Day.

Image: A child pays floral tribute on the graves of 1931 martyrs. Photograph: Umar Ganie

The legacy of July 13 martyrs incident, in which 21 protestors were killed in firing by Dogra Army outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931, is claimed by both the mainstream political parties of the Valley and the separatist groups.

While the day is observed as an official holiday every year, the separatists have been calling for a general strike on this day since 1990 to commemorate the sacrifices.

For the first time in 25 years since the start of militancy in Kashmir, the separatists have not called for a general strike on Martyrs' Day on Monday in view of the fasting month of Ramzan.

Image: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed prays on the graves along with his ministers. Photograph: Umar Ganie

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his Peoples Democratic Party cabinet colleagues were the first to visit the graveyard to offer floral tributes.

A contingent of state police and its band were in attendance as Mufti laid floral wreaths on the gravess.

However, coalition partner BJP stayed away from the ceremony, highlighting, according to observers here, 'the political and the ideological differences between the coalition partners'.

Ramesh Arora, BJP state vice president, told reporters that 'those killed in 1931 firing had risen against a genuine ruler’.

"The BJP regards the rule of Dogra Maharajas in Jammu and Kashmir as the golden period," he added.

Image: Security personnel stand guard during restrictions in downtown Srinagar to foil of separatists' march. Photograph: Umar Ganie

The opposition National Conference and the Congress party paid floral tributes to the martyrs soon after the official function was over.

Omar Abdullah, National Conference acting president and former chief minister, and his party leaders and supporters too lay wreaths at the graveyard.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of police and Central Reserve Police Force jawans fanned out in the old city areas and in the Maisuma locality to enforce strict curfew-like-restrictions.

Image: Policemen keep vigil from the window of a house as Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed paid tributes to the 1931 Martyrs. Photograph: Umar Ganie

Barricades using coils of razor-fitted wire were put up to prevent pedestrian and the vehicular movement.

The separatists had announced a joint march to the graveyard to pay homage to the martyrs. While hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani continues to be under house arrest, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq and pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik were placed under house arrest this morning.