Separatists disrupt Omar Abdullah’s meeting
Clashes resumed in the state on Sunday as mobs resorted to brick-bating when top leaders came to pay respects at the martyrs’ cemetery in the old city.
By ET Bureau |
SRINAGAR: Clashes resumed in the state on Sunday as mobs resorted to brick-bating when top leaders came to pay respects at the martyrs��� cemetery in the old city. Dozens were injured as mobsters clashed with cops, who fired teargas shells and several rounds in the air.
A public holiday, July 13 is the anniversary of the 1931 massacres carried out by Maharaja Hari Singh���s army, which eventually proved a vital milestone in Jammu and Kashmir���s freedom from autocracy.
Though only 23 civilians ��� who had assembled outside central jail to watch the proceedings against a non local butler for his inflammatory speech against Maharaja ��� were killed in Srinagar, the uprising led to killing of hundreds in the periphery. State police contingents reverse the arms as a mark of respect to martyrs.
The day is observed by all across the ideological divide. The only difference is that mainstream leaders see the shrine as a symbol of freedom achieved while separatists, who see it a huge historic landmark, link it to struggle for freedom.
Convergence of people from diverse ideological camps has made this old city cemetery a sensitive venue for the last two decades warranting massive police deployment ahead of schedule.
Tension in Khawaja Bazar-Nowhatta belt was visible on Saturday when Mirwaiz Umer Farooq���s activists decorated the entire road leading to the venue with green party and pro-freedom buntings. Supposed to be a joint function of the rival Hurriyats, it was slated to be yet another event of unity.
Later in the evening a small group of NC activists with a huge cavalcade of police and paramilitary forces reached the spot to erect the party���s red flags. Massive presence of police prevented a clash.
Sensing trouble former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad drove to the venue early in the morning. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti followed the same golden rule. However, the crisis blew up only when NC president Omar Abdullah came with his supporters around noon.
After laying floral wreaths, he started making a speech and bricks started raining at the venue. Though it forced him to wind up and leave, his supporters retaliated and broke the window panes of all the houses on the street.
Though most of the separatist leaders were under house arrest, Mirwaiz Umer was permitted to reach the spot after the afternoon prayers.
A public holiday, July 13 is the anniversary of the 1931 massacres carried out by Maharaja Hari Singh���s army, which eventually proved a vital milestone in Jammu and Kashmir���s freedom from autocracy.
Though only 23 civilians ��� who had assembled outside central jail to watch the proceedings against a non local butler for his inflammatory speech against Maharaja ��� were killed in Srinagar, the uprising led to killing of hundreds in the periphery. State police contingents reverse the arms as a mark of respect to martyrs.
The day is observed by all across the ideological divide. The only difference is that mainstream leaders see the shrine as a symbol of freedom achieved while separatists, who see it a huge historic landmark, link it to struggle for freedom.
Convergence of people from diverse ideological camps has made this old city cemetery a sensitive venue for the last two decades warranting massive police deployment ahead of schedule.
Tension in Khawaja Bazar-Nowhatta belt was visible on Saturday when Mirwaiz Umer Farooq���s activists decorated the entire road leading to the venue with green party and pro-freedom buntings. Supposed to be a joint function of the rival Hurriyats, it was slated to be yet another event of unity.
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Later in the evening a small group of NC activists with a huge cavalcade of police and paramilitary forces reached the spot to erect the party���s red flags. Massive presence of police prevented a clash.
Sensing trouble former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad drove to the venue early in the morning. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti followed the same golden rule. However, the crisis blew up only when NC president Omar Abdullah came with his supporters around noon.
After laying floral wreaths, he started making a speech and bricks started raining at the venue. Though it forced him to wind up and leave, his supporters retaliated and broke the window panes of all the houses on the street.
Though most of the separatist leaders were under house arrest, Mirwaiz Umer was permitted to reach the spot after the afternoon prayers.
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A few thousand people accompanied him. He made a brief speech insisting that developmental funds and better infrastructure would not make them give up the demand for Azadi. After his speech, the crowds resorted to brick-bating.Download
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