13th July massacre is Jallianwala Bagh for Kashmiris: CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday placed restrictions in several parts of Srinagar city and disallowed political parties from visiting Martyrs' Graveyard to commemorate the killing of 22 Kashmiris by Dogra forces on this day in 1931. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the '13th July massacre' is the Jallianwala Bagh for people of this region and their sacrifices cannot be forgotten.

"The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled by British Paramountcy," said Abdullah adding, "What a shame that the true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices."

Some of the political leaders including legislators from ruling National Conference like Tanvir Sadiq, former CM Mehbooba Mufti, Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Sajad Lone informed through social media platforms that they were placed under house arrest. Some NC activists led by Salman Sagar, MLA from Srinagar, held brief protests against the administration. Several activists of other political parties were detained when they were on their way to Martyrs' Graveyard. The weekly Sunday flea market was shut and police and paramilitary forces were deployed on all major roads leading to Martyrs' Graveyard in Khawaja Bazar of Srinagar.


Will always be our heroes: Mufti

"The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours - from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh - that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the 'dil ki doori' will truly end," said Mufti, adding, "When you lay siege to the Martyrs' Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes... They will always be our heroes." PC's Sajad Lone said he doesn't understand why the Centre is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir.