- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid rich tributes to the martyrs, describing them as heroes of the struggle against suppression and autocracy who laid their lives to uphold principal of justice and democracy
- J&K Libertion Front Chairman Yasin Malik said Kashmiris defeated the dictatorial rulers but new rulers dressed in garbs of democracy have pushed this nation to a worse form of slavery.
Amid shutdown and restrictions, Kashmiris on Sunday commemorated the 83rd anniversary of 21 Kashmiris who were martyred by Dogra soldiers.
On July 13, 1931, Dogra’s soldiers killed 21 Kashmiris who protested against the prosecution of Abdul Qadeer Khan who raised his voice against the autocratic Dogra rule. Since then, the day is officially commemorated in Kashmir as Martyrs Day.
Mainstream and pro-freedom parties have been staking claim over the legacy of these martyrs buried at a graveyard in Hazrat Khwaja Naqshband Sahib (RA)’s shrine in the old city. Only mainstream leaders are allowed to pay tributes at the graveyard. According to reports, the police have sealed all entry and exit routes of the venue to facilitate the visit of VIPs.
In a statement, a district administration official said restrictions have been enforced in areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations Khanyar, Nowhatta, Maharaj Ganj, Rainawari and Safakadal to “prevent any trouble”, adding that security forces have sanitised the areas around Mazar-e–Shuhada.
According to reports, most pro-freedom parties have called for a complete shutdown.
MARTYRS WANTED JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY:
In his message, disputed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to the martyrs, describing them as heroes of the struggle against suppression and autocracy.
“Let all of us join hands to develop a society based on justice and principles of secular democratic temperament. Tolerance and respect for each others’ viewpoints, whether we agree to these or not, is the soul of democracy. The martyrs of July 13 laid their lives to uphold principal of natural justice and democracy,” he said.
National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah said the martyrs helped to empower Jammu and Kashmir and liberate it from the slavery, adding that “it is our duty to protect our flag, our unique political identity and to thwart all attempts to dilute Article 370 and our special status”.
He said that it is the need of the hour to emulate the courage of those martyrs by pledging to uphold their sacrifices and understand that the cause of “our political identity and that of our political autonomy stands threatened by external as well as internal foes and conspirators”.
Employees Joint Action Committee-Q President Abdul Qayoom Wani also paid tribute to the martyrs of July 13, describing them as torch bearers of the struggle against injustice.
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik, while paying tributes to the martyrs, termed July 13, 1931 as a historic day in the “resistance history of Kashmir”.
“Kashmiris defeated the dictatorial rulers but new rulers dressed in garbs of democracy proved much worse and pushed this nation to a worse form of slavery,” he said.
