= > Kashmir to observe Martyrs’ Day today ‘Mild restrictions’ likely in old city; Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest Srinagar,July 13: Martyrs’ Day is being observed across the Kashmir Valley Saturday (Today) to commemorate the sacrifice rendered by 21 people who were killed while protesting against autocratic Dogra rulers on July 13, 1931. Amid a shutdown called by all pro-freedom groups including both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF, authorities are likely to impose restrictions around Martyrs’ Graveyard Naqshband Sahib here till official functions scheduled for the day are over. However, there will be no curfew in any part of the Valley, official sources said. On July 13 1931, 21 Kashmiris were massacred bythe forces of autocratic ruler Maharaja Hari Singh outside Srinagar’s Central Jail here. The victims were protesting against the prosecution of Abdul Qadeer, who had raised voice against the atrocities committed by the autocratic rulers on local Muslims. Every year, this day is officially observed as Martyrs’ Day. In run-up to the occasion, police Friday placed chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest while according to the Hurriyat (G) police deployment outside the residence of Peer Syed Ali Geelani, who is under housearrest for the past four months, was strengthened further. “(Geelani) was not even allowed to offer first Friday prayers of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan. More policeman were deployed outside his (Hyderpora) residence,” Ayaz Akbar, spokesman of the Hurriyat (G) said, adding, “The recent statement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that Geelani sahib is a freeman and that there are no restrictions on him to offer prayers is nothing but a white lie and far from reality.” He said that even as the octogenarian leader wasallowed to offer a few Friday prayers in 2012, this year so far he has not been allowed to offer Friday prayers even once ever since he returned to Valley from New Delhi in March. “Geelani sahib has been confined in 10X12 room of his residence and today marked the 19th instance in a row when he was barred from offering the prayers,” he said. Meanwhile, amid tight security arrangements, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and opposition People’s Democratic Party leaders are scheduled to pay their tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard. Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Peer Syed Ali Shah Geelani continues to remain under house arrest since his return from New Delhi in March this year while as Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest Thursday evening. He was barred from offering congregational Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid here. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shalinder Kumar said that there would be no curfew on Saturday (Today).
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 04:16:46 +0000
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