Srinagar sees barricading, high security as access to Martyrs' Graveyard blocked
Officials said the area within a 1-km radius of the Martyrs' Graveyard in Srinagar was sealed on Sunday ahead of the commemoration. Barricades were erected across the city, while police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in large numbers.
Authorities imposed sweeping restrictions across parts of Srinagar on Monday, sealing off the Martyrs' Graveyard and deploying heavy security to prevent gatherings on July 13, observed by many in Kashmir as the anniversary of the 1931 killings.
July 13 marks the anniversary of the killing of 22 protesters, who were shot dead by the Dogra army outside Srinagar's Central Jail in 1931.
The date ceased to be a gazetted holiday in 2020 after the Lieutenant Governor-led administration removed it from the official holiday calendar.
Officials said the area within a 1-km radius of the graveyard was sealed on Sunday ahead of the commemoration. Barricades were erected across the old city and in parts of the civil lines area, while police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.
A multi-layered security cordon comprising concertina wire, plastic barricades, GI sheets and metal poles was put up near Nowhatta to stop political leaders and members of the public from marching to the graveyard.
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo said she was prevented from entering the memorial despite attempting to visit it early in the morning.
"I tried to visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada at 4.30 am today to pay my humble tributes to our martyrs of 13th July. However, due to the heavy deployment of security forces and extensive barbed-wire barricading around the graves, I was prevented from entering," she wrote on X, sharing a video of the blocked approach.
According to sources, the restrictions were imposed to avoid a repeat of last year's dramatic scenes, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah climbed over the locked gate of the graveyard to offer prayers after police denied entry. In Jammu and Kashmir, the police function under the Lieutenant Governor.
Ahead of last year's commemoration, Omar Abdullah and several other leaders were placed under house arrest.
Despite the restrictions, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah reached the memorial in an autorickshaw from Khanyar crossing, while Itoo travelled pillion on a scooter.
Omar Abdullah later climbed over the main gate of the graveyard. His security personnel and several party leaders followed him, after which police opened the gates.
Authorities imposed sweeping restrictions across parts of Srinagar on Monday, sealing off the Martyrs' Graveyard and deploying heavy security to prevent gatherings on July 13, observed by many in Kashmir as the anniversary of the 1931 killings.
July 13 marks the anniversary of the killing of 22 protesters, who were shot dead by the Dogra army outside Srinagar's Central Jail in 1931.
The date ceased to be a gazetted holiday in 2020 after the Lieutenant Governor-led administration removed it from the official holiday calendar.
Officials said the area within a 1-km radius of the graveyard was sealed on Sunday ahead of the commemoration. Barricades were erected across the old city and in parts of the civil lines area, while police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.
A multi-layered security cordon comprising concertina wire, plastic barricades, GI sheets and metal poles was put up near Nowhatta to stop political leaders and members of the public from marching to the graveyard.
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo said she was prevented from entering the memorial despite attempting to visit it early in the morning.
"I tried to visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada at 4.30 am today to pay my humble tributes to our martyrs of 13th July. However, due to the heavy deployment of security forces and extensive barbed-wire barricading around the graves, I was prevented from entering," she wrote on X, sharing a video of the blocked approach.
According to sources, the restrictions were imposed to avoid a repeat of last year's dramatic scenes, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah climbed over the locked gate of the graveyard to offer prayers after police denied entry. In Jammu and Kashmir, the police function under the Lieutenant Governor.
Ahead of last year's commemoration, Omar Abdullah and several other leaders were placed under house arrest.
Despite the restrictions, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah reached the memorial in an autorickshaw from Khanyar crossing, while Itoo travelled pillion on a scooter.
Omar Abdullah later climbed over the main gate of the graveyard. His security personnel and several party leaders followed him, after which police opened the gates.
