SRINAGAR: Normal life in Srinagar was disrupted on the Martyrs Day last week, as “undeclared curfew” was imposed in some parts of the city, while all the seven executive members of All Party Hurriyat Conference (APH), including its chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, were placed under “house arrest.’” The officials, however, remained tightlipped about the imposition of curfew, even as police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the houses of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Prof ‘Abdul Gani Bhat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Moulvi Abbas ‘Ansari early last week.
Jammu and’ Kashmir observes July 13 every year as the Martyrs Day in memory of the freedom fighters who laid down their lives on this day in 1931. The APHC had planned to take out processions from Jamia Masjid to the Martyrs Graveyard at Nagashband Sahib and Idgah Martyrs Graveyard to pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives in 1931 and the persons killed during the last seven years of militancy. Meanwhile, the former Chief Minister and National Conference president, Dr. Faroog Abdullah criticized the state administration for “imposing curfew.” “The curfew was imposed to prevent APHC from taking out a procession,” Dr. Abdullah said while addressing an all-party meeting organized by National Conference to pay homage to the martyrs. Dr. Abdullah said, “Heavens would not have fallen even if the APHC leaders would have been allowed to make anti India speeches. India is a free country and everyone has the right to express his feeling.” “Imposition of curfew is an easy method to keep people away, but it is a wrong step, as it helps widen the gap between the people and the authorities,” the former Chief Minister said. Referring to the statements of the authorities that there is considerable improvement in the situation, Dr. Abdullah asked, “Why resort to imposition of curfew? The authorities are lying and misleading the world opinion.” Dr. Farooq Abdullah also asked his party workers and supporters to get ready for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 17, 1996
