Kashmir observes shutdown on Martyrs day

A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir valley today to remember the martyrs of July 13, 1931, while as restrictions were made in parts of the old city to foil any possible untoward incidents. As per the reports, all shops and business establishments were closed across the valley while traffic movement was suspended. Schools, banks and other offices were also closed in most parts of the valley. Reports added that huge deployment of police and paramilitary forces was made in the Downtown area of Srinagar and curfew-like restrictions were imposed to foil any possible untoward incidents. The restrictions were imposed in several areas including Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Kralkhud, and others. In the Khanyar area of old Srinagar where the Martyrs Graveyard is located, the forces erected concertina wires at road junctions to halt the vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The residents in Nowhatta, Khnayar, and other adjacent areas said that the forces deployed on the roads were not allowing anyone to pass through the main roads. Deployment of forces was also made in other sensitive parts of Kashmir. The shutdown call for today was given by JRL including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Muhammad Yasin Malik to remember the 22 Kashmiris martyred by the troops of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931 after the people rose against the autocratic ruler.

The leadership had appealed people to observe this day as ‘Youm-e-Shuhada’. Mirwaiz was also scheduled to lead a protest march today from Jamia Masjid, but he was put under house arrest last evening. Shops, public transport, and other businesses remained closed in Srinagar and many other towns in the Valley. Heavy deployments of security forces were made to maintain law and order in Srinagar and other places in the valley. However, like the previous years, the function was given a miss by the BJP leaders, who consider it as a “black day.”

Meanwhile, Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Saturday with no pilgrim allowed to move towards the Valley from Jammu due to shut down, police said.

 “Taking stock of the law and order situation because the protest shutdown called by the separatists today, movement of the pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar remained suspended today,” police sources said. Meanwhile, train services were suspended in the valley following the shutdown call given by JRL leaders.