Martyrs’ Day: NC, PC Leaders Placed Under House Arrest; Roads to Graveyard Sealed in Srinagar

Srinagar, July 13:In a move that sparked sharp political criticism, authorities on Sunday sealed all roads leading to the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Nowhatta, Srinagar, and placed several mainstream political leaders, including National Conference (NC) and People’s Conference (PC) functionaries, under house arrest ahead of the July 13 Martyrs’ Day commemorations.

Police and central paramilitary forces were deployed at major entry points to the city, effectively turning areas around Khawaja Bazar into fortified zones. According to officials, the measures were taken in view of “apprehensions of law and order problems.” Only security and official vehicles were permitted to move through the barricades.

NC had formally applied to the District Magistrate Srinagar seeking permission to pay homage at the historic graveyard, which holds the remains of 22 Kashmiri protestors killed by the Dogra army in 1931. However, the district administration denied all such requests.

“The District Administration Srinagar has denied permission to all applicants intending to proceed towards Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta on July 13, 2025 (Sunday),” the Srinagar Police posted on X (formerly Twitter), issuing a public advisory. It warned that any violation of the orders would invite strict legal action under relevant laws.

Reacting sharply, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the denial, calling it “deeply unfortunate.”

“July 13 is not a routine date. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of dignity, justice, and rights,” Sadiq posted on X. He added that several leaders, including the party leadership at Gupkar and sitting MLAs, were placed under house arrest since Saturday night. “This is not just unfortunate; it is a deliberate attempt to suppress remembrance and deny us the right to honour the martyrs of July 13,” he wrote.

Echoing the sentiment, former Chief Minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah described the lockdown as a “blatantly undemocratic move.”

“In a blatantly undemocratic move, homes have been locked from the outside, police and central forces deployed as jailers, and major bridges in Srinagar blocked—all to stop people from visiting a historically important graveyard,” Omar posted. “I will never understand what the Law & Order government is so afraid of.”

People’s Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, was also placed under house arrest. “This recurring act reflects a deliberate attempt to suppress democratic expression and silence voices of remembrance and dissent,” the party said in a statement.

Martyrs’ Day was once a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir, observed annually to commemorate the 1931 killings. However, it was removed from the list of gazetted holidays after the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in August 2019.

Despite the clampdown, political parties reiterated their commitment to remember and honour the martyrs peacefully and with dignity.