Kashmir observed a shutdown on Friday on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day as Govenor Satya Pal Malik skipped the tribute function in tense Srinagar.
Governor’s local adviser Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was among the first to visit the Mazar-e-Shohada (graveyard) at Srinagar’s Naqshband Sahib and offered floral tributes to the 1931 Martyrs, when 22 Kashmiri Muslims fell to Dogra Army’s bullets during a protest.
Not only Mr. Malik, but the Chief Secretary and also all the four non-local advisers of the Governor skipped the commemoration function. Director-General of Police Dilbagh Singh also gave it a miss.
However, Additional Director General of Police (Armed) S. J. M. Gillani, ADGP (Law and Order) Muneer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) Baseer Ahmad Khan, IGP Kashmir S.P. Pani and Deputy Commissioner (Srinagar) Shahid Iqbal Choudhary attended the function.
Top leaders of all regional parties, including the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, paid tributes to the martyrs at the graveyard.
“The incident of 1931 was the culmination of the growing unrest in the people against the oppressor and the tyrant. The martyrs gave their life for securing dignity and self-respect for their countrymen,” said National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
State Congress president Peerzada Mohd Sayeed said, “Their sacrifices will continue to lead the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to the path of unity and brotherhood.”
J&K People’s Movement general secretary Shehla Rashid termed the sacrifices as a “golden chapter in the history of J&K”.
Awami Ittehad Party chief Er. Rasheed urged New Delhi and Islamabad not to make Kashmir a battlefield. “Both the countries should fulfil the promises made to Kashmiris at the United Nations,” said Mr. Rasheed.
Meanwhile, on the call of separatists, a shudtdown was observed in the Kashmir Valley. The authorities also placed separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani under house arrest. Many parts of the old city were sealed by security forces.
“These martyrs laid the foundation for the struggle of rights and justice for the people of Kashmir,” said the Mirwaiz.
Train service across the Valley remained suspended. The Amarnath Yatra was also put on hold.
