Restrictions in Srinagar on ‘martyrs’ day’

SRINAGAR - Restrictions were imposed in this Jammu and Kashmir summer capital Tuesday to prevent a separatist rally coinciding with ‘martyrs’ day’, commemorating the 1931 day when the central jail here was stormed and jail guards opened fire killing many people.

“Restrictions are in place throughout Srinagar city as a precautionary measure to protect civilian life and property from the designs of anti-social elements,” a senior police officer said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father, union Minister for Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, visited the martyrs’ graveyard in Old City Naqashband Sahib area to pay floral tributes and offer prayers there.

There was heavy deployment of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) around the martyrs’ graveyard to facilitate the visit there.

It was July 13, 1931, when people revolting against the autocratic rule of Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh, stormed the central jail in Srinagar city. Jail guards retilated by opening fire and killing many people.

The people killed in the central jail firing were buried in the graveyard that has since been known as the martyrs’ graveyard here.

After the separatist violence broke out here in 1990, those killed during the violence were buried at Eidgah area in Old City since there was not enough space in the existing martyrs’ graveyard in the city.

The burial ground in Eidgah area has since also been known as the martyrs’ graveyard.

Although curfew has been lifted from the Kashmir Valley, curfew-like restrictions remained in force in Sopore town, an official statement said.