Srinagar, Jul 13 (KNS): A complete shutdown was on Saturday observed to remember the martyrs of July 13, 1931 while as the authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar areas to foil the march called by pro-freedom leaders.
The shutdown call for today was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) in remembrance of 22 Kashmiris martyrs who were killed by the troops of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931 after the people rose against the autocratic ruler.
Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was scheduled to lead a procession from Jami Masjid here to martyrs graveyard today.
However, he was not allowed to lead a rally as he was put under house detention on from Friday morning.
Following the call given by JRL, all the shops and business establishments remained closed across the valley while as the traffic was off the roads.
Government offices also remained closed as State observes July 13 as a holiday.
Since the wee hours of this morning, a contingent of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on roads, lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar to thwart any protest.
The restrictions were imposed in several areas including Srinagar areas today.
In Khanyar area of old Srinagar where the Martyrs Graveyard is located, the forces had erected concertina wires at road junctions to halt the vehicular and pedestrian movement.
Besides, the ongoing Amarnath yatra was also suspended for a day in view of the martyrs day. The Amarnath Yatra was suspended from Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas base camp here and no fresh batch left for the cave in view of strike call.
An official said the Yatra was suspended as preventive measure in view of strike.
The fresh batch will be allowed only after directions issued from the higher authorities. On Friday, 5395 pilgrims left from the base camp here while so far, 58,427 registered pilgrims have officially left from Jammu for the cave.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmad Ganie, mainstream politicians and top officers of the civil administration today paid floral tributes to July 13, 1931 martyrs in Srinagar.
Ganai who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan offered Fateha at the graveyard at the shrine of Naqshband Sahib in Downtown Srinagar early morning.
Others including National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, State Congress chief G A Mir, CPI (M) senior leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, AIP president Engineer Abdul Rashid, president DPN Ghulam Hassan Mir and, chairman of PDF Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen also paid tributes to the martyrs. (KNS)