Jammu & Kashmir imposes Martyrs' Day restrictions

Srinagar: The authorities placed restrictions around Mazar-e-Shuhada in Srinagar on Monday, disallowing people, including politicians, to visit the graveyard to commemorate Martyrs' Day.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned the restrictions and said that those who closed the martyrs' graveyard ignored the sacrifices of everyone who fought against British rule. He alleged that the sacrifices were being ignored because all those killed were Muslims.

Martyrs' Day is observed in remembrance of the 22 Kashmiris killed on July 13, 1931, by the forces of the then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah paid tributes to the martyrs at the National Conference party office in Srinagar. People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also paid tributes to martyrs at her party office. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest. The restrictions in the old Srinagar city led to a traffic gridlock across the city for the entire day.


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Martyrs' Day was observed as an official holiday across J&K till 2019-20. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) and downgrading of erstwhile state of J&K into the two Union territories of J&K and Ladakh, the then administration dropped Martyrs' Day and the birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, falling on December 5, from the official holiday list.