Srinagar, July 13 (KNS): Political parties including the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kashmir have accused the administration of not allowing them to pay tributes at the graveyard of the 22 Kashmiris who died during protest against the Dogra forces on this day in 1931.
Officials told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the top political leaders of National Conference and the PDP had today morning requested the administration to allow them to visit the graveyard for paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931, but they were denied permission.
They said that the road leading to the graveyard was sealed by the authorities and security forces were deployed in the area so that no one could visit the graveyard.
However, in view of the strict restrictions imposed by the government, the political leaders paid homage and offered prayers to these martyrs at their respevtive party offices at Srinagar.
NC's President Dr. Farooq Abdullah paid tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931. Party leaders Ali Muhammad Sagar, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Nasir Aslam Wani and other party functionaries joined him in offering Fatiha.
Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, whose party was also denied permission to visit the graveyard, said, “Today on the occasion of ‘Martyrs Day’, the gates leading to their graveyards have been locked up. Attempts to distort and rewrite Kashmir’s history is being done only to create a sense of defeat and helplessness amongst Kashmiris.”
"Nevertheless, as we pay homage to the heroes of 13th July, 1931, our resolve to strive for restoration of J&K’s dignity remains firm.” she said in a tweet.
Further, in a joint statement, NC's Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah described the 1931 incident, which took place during the Dogra regime, as “a landmark in the history of J&K”.
They said that their sacrifices resulted in the transformation of the State from a feudalistic to a democratic one.
Meanwhile, Sajad Lone’s Peoples Conference and J&K Apni Party' president Altaf Bukhari also paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931.
While paying rich tributes to July 13, 1931 martyrs, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said Naya Kashmir which was drafted with their blood was dismantled on August 5, 2019.
Notably, every year, July 13 is observed as Martyrs’ Day in Kashmir as the day is marked to pay tribute to 22 Kashmiri Muslims killed on on this day. (KNS)