SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday imposed restrictions in several parts of Srinagar and sealed off the area around the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqshband Sahib to prevent people from assembling there on the anniversary of the July 13, 1931 killings.
Officials said the area within a one-kilometre radius of the graveyard had been sealed since Sunday, while barricades were erected across the old city and parts of the civil lines area as a precautionary measure. Police and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed in strength to maintain law and order and deal with any eventuality.
A network of concertina wire, plastic barricades, GI sheets and poles was installed near Nowhatta to prevent political leaders and others from marching to the graveyard.
The restrictions come amid concerns over a repeat of last year’s incident, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah climbed over a fence to pay tributes after the graveyard gates were locked by the police.
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Ittoo said she was prevented from entering the Martyrs’ Graveyard when she attempted to pay tributes at around 4.30 a.m. She posted a video on social media, claiming that heavy deployment of security personnel and extensive barbed-wire barricading stopped her from reaching the graves. She said she was accompanied by JKNC Women’s Wing Provincial President Sabiya Qadri.
July 13 is observed by many in Kashmir to commemorate the 22 people who were killed after being fired upon by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931.
