SRINAGAR: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have imposed stringent restrictions in parts of Srinagar and sealed the vicinity of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard. The measures are in place to prevent public assembly on the anniversary of the July 13, 1931 killings.
The Chenab Times has learned that the area within a one-kilometre radius of the Martyrs’ Graveyard has been cordoned off since Sunday. Barricades have been erected throughout the old city and in sections of the civil lines as a precautionary measure. Police and Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in significant numbers to maintain law and order and respond to any potential disturbances.
A comprehensive security arrangement, including concertina wire, plastic barricades, and GI sheets, has been installed near Nowhatta. These measures are intended to prevent political leaders and others from proceeding to the graveyard to pay their respects.
The restrictions come amidst concerns of a recurrence of last year’s events, when then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reportedly scaled a fence to pay tributes after police had locked the graveyard gates. This year, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Ittoo stated she was also prevented from entering the graveyard to pay homage. In a social media post accompanied by a video, she claimed that a heavy deployment of security personnel and extensive barbed-wire barricading obstructed her access to the graves. She was accompanied by JKNC Women’s Wing Provincial President Sabiya Qadri during her attempted visit.
July 13 is observed annually in Kashmir to commemorate the 22 individuals who were killed in 1931 when forces loyal to Maharaja Hari Singh opened fire outside the Srinagar Central Jail. The killings marked a significant event in the region’s political history, leading to the establishment of July 13 as a Martyrs’ Day.
The administration’s decision to impose restrictions reflects an ongoing effort to manage public gatherings during sensitive anniversaries, often citing the need to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. The historical context of the day underscores its importance for a segment of the Kashmiri population, who see it as a crucial date for remembering past sacrifices and asserting political narratives. The security apparatus deployed aims to control the flow of people and prevent any large-scale public demonstrations or commemorations that could potentially escalate into law and order issues.
The government’s approach typically involves a multi-layered security strategy, combining physical barriers with a strong police and paramilitary presence. This is often coupled with advisories and communication to political parties and civil society groups regarding the imposed restrictions. The aim is to preemptively manage any situation that could disrupt public order or challenge administrative control over public spaces during memorial events.
The tradition of observing July 13 has been a recurring point of tension, with authorities often balancing the commemoration of historical events with concerns about potential public order disruptions. The deployment of security forces and barricading of sensitive areas have become standard procedure in Srinagar during the period leading up to the anniversary. This practice is aimed at asserting state authority and controlling public access to memorial sites.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
