Srinagar, Jul 13: Authorities imposed security curbs across key areas of Old Srinagar on Monday, rendering Naqshband Sahab completely inaccessible and effectively preventing political leaders, party workers, and the public from paying tributes to the 22 martyrs of July 13.

Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces, backed by extensive concertina wire, barricades, GI sheets, plastic barriers, and checkpoints, sealed off the graveyard and surrounding localities including Nowhatta, Khawaja Bazaar, M R Gunj, and Khanyar. Roads leading to the site were blocked from the previous day, with restrictions extending to a 1-km radius around Naqshband Sahab.

Movement was tightly regulated in downtown Srinagar, and the public was advised to comply with orders or face legal action.

The measures came as a precautionary step to maintain law and order and avert any gatherings on the anniversary, which was once observed as an official Martyrs’ Day with state functions before the 2019 reorganisation discontinued the holiday.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo made an early morning attempt to visit the graveyard around 4:30 am but was stopped by heavy security deployment and barricading.

Accompanied by NC Women’s Wing Provincial President Sabiya Qadri, she highlighted the physical barriers but affirmed that the martyrs’ sacrifices remain etched in memory.

NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar were reportedly kept under house arrest since Sunday, however, they were allowed to attend a function in the morning.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti alleged detention for herself and her mother Mehbooba Mufti, questioning the government’s narrative of normalcy.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was placed under house arrest and noted that all roads to the Mazar-e-Shuhada were sealed.

In a social media post, he paid tributes, stating the martyrs’ sacrifices remain central to Kashmir’s struggle for justice, dignity, and human rights.

These curbs echo last year’s events, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scaled the boundary wall and gate of the graveyard after authorities locked access, forcing police to eventually open the gates amid high drama involving other NC leaders.

Leaders across parties decried the restrictions as undermining democratic rights and collective memory.

The National Conference described the 1931 martyrs’ sacrifices as an enduring inspiration in the fight for democratic rights and identity.

The July 13 incident commemorates the killing of 22 Kashmiris outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931 during protests against “autocratic Dogra rule”.

While the day once featured official observances and processions, post-2019 policies have discontinued such state recognition, leading to repeated restrictions on commemorations.

A top police official described the deployments as “precautionary measures,” stating that any attempt by leaders to move would be restricted.

Srinagar, July 13: In a major action against the narcotics ecosystem under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, police in Sopore have attached two immovable properties worth over ₹1.23 crore belonging to an absconding and notorious drug peddler under the provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act, 1985.

As per the statement, the attached properties comprise a double-storey residential house with boundary wall, and Land measuring 1 Kanal 10 Marlas under Survey No. 365 Min, having a combined value of over ₹1.23 crore.

The attached properties belong to Mohammad Ashraf Mir @ Ashu son of Late Farooq Ahmad Mir resident of Jamia Qadeem, Sopore, presently residing at Krankshivan Colony, Nageen Bagh-B, Sopore.

The attachment has been made in connection with FIR No. 23/2026 of Police Station Sopore, after a detailed financial investigation revealed that the properties had been acquired through proceeds generated from illicit narcotics trafficking. The attachment proceedings were executed in the presence of independent witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the NDPS Act.

The accused is absconding in the said NDPS case. A Hue and Cry Notice/Look Out Notice has already been issued against him. He is also involved in multiple NDPS cases, indicating his continued involvement in drug trafficking activities.

With this action, Police has further intensified its crackdown on the financial infrastructure sustaining the narcotics trade. By attaching illegally acquired assets, the objective is to deprive drug traffickers of the proceeds of crime and dismantle the economic foundations of the narcotics network.

Police reiterate its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and substance abuse. Stringent legal as well as financial action shall continue against all those involved in the narcotics trade, police statement reads.

Srinagar, Jul 13: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the BJP of turning the issue of the ‘martyrs’ of 1931 into a communal matter, saying those killed by the Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers sacrificed their lives fighting the “autocratic rule”.

The former chief minister paid tributes to the 22 protestors, who died on this day in 1931, at the PDP headquarters here.

The authorities had placed restrictions around the martyr’s graveyard in Naqshband Sahib area of the city to prevent people, including politicians, from paying their tributes.

Speaking to reporters at the party office, Mehbooba said 22 Kashmiris sacrificed their lives outside Srinagar Central Jail against the “autocratic rule”.

“They raised their voice against the autocratic rule of that time, its oppression and tyranny, and awakened our nation,” she said.

Drawing parallels with Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Ashfaqullah Khan, Mehbooba said while the people of Kashmir acknowledge and respect their sacrifices, the BJP has turned the issue of the martyrs of 1931 into a communal issue.

“As far as the sacrifice of Kashmiris is concerned, the BJP has made it a Hindu-Muslim issue, it has made it a Dogra-Kashmiri issue, it has made it a Jammu-Kashmir issue. Our elders raised their voice against the autocratic rule at that time and became martyrs and sacrificed themselves,” she said.

Asserting that the BJP cannot put restrictions on the minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP president said “these martyrs awakened our nation, and laid the foundation for the people’s rule that we see today”.

“So, even if the BJP tries harder, it won’t be able to control our minds. They are our heroes. Just like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Gandhi ji are. Just as (Nathuram) Godse is the hero of BJP, these people who were martyred in 1931 for the sake of the people’s rule, they are our martyrs and will remain so. No matter how many restrictions they impose, no matter how many barbed wires they put up,” she added.

Terming the restrictions as an “excess done by the BJP”, Mehbooba claimed she was placed under house arrest on Sunday while Naqshband Sahib area was completely sealed and checkpoints were put up on Monday.

“I think this is an excess by the BJP, they should not do this. If they cannot respect our martyrs, then at least they should not stop us from paying tribute to them,” she said.

Mehbooba’s daughter, Iltija Mufti also accused the BJP of trying to “distort” and “erase” J-K’s history.

“The police is not even allowing us to take few steps outside (the party office). They want to erase and distort our history. This Martyr’s day is not illegal, it is not seditious. These are the people who sacrificed their lives, it is because of them that democracy came to Jammu and Kashmir. They raised their voice against the injustice done by Dogra rulers, it is because of them that the seeds of democracy were sown,” Iltija said.

She said the party leaders were “imprisoned”, but they did not want to break any law.

“I want to tell the LG and the administration here that you cannot erase or rewrite our history. The people of Kashmir will themselves decide who their heroes or villains are. The Martyr’s are heroes for us, and we will always salute them and their spirit,” she said.

Srinagar, Jul 13: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asserted that the July 13 martyrs had fought for democracy and against British and princely rule, condemning the authorities’ decision to prevent National Conference leaders from visiting the Martyrs’ Graveyard and saying the restrictions could not erase their legacy.

Describing the restrictions as “deeply unfortunate”, Abdullah said those who laid down their lives on July 13 had sacrificed themselves in the struggle against oppression and for democratic rights.

“Those who sacrificed their lives on July 13 fought against British rule, princely rule and for democracy. Today we are not being allowed to pay tribute to their sacrifice.”

Abdullah said those who ordered the closure of the Martyrs’ Graveyard had ignored the historical context of Jammu and Kashmir.

“If those who took the decision to close the Martyrs’ Graveyard had spent even two minutes reading the history of Jammu and Kashmir, they would have understood that by doing so they have ignored the sacrifices of all those who laid down their lives fighting against the British before Independence.”

He said Jammu and Kashmir had been a princely state under British paramountcy, adding that the Maharaja had accepted British authority. Pointing to the former British Resident’s buildings in Srinagar and Jammu and the existence of Residency Road in both cities, Abdullah said these were reminders of the British presence in the erstwhile state.

The Chief Minister rejected attempts to portray the July 13 movement through a religious lens. “This fight is being measured only in terms of religion. The sacrifices of these martyrs are being ignored only because they were Muslims and the Maharaja was not. But this was not a religious struggle. It was a struggle of principles. It was a struggle for democracy. Above all, it was a struggle for freedom against the British.”

Abdullah said political dispensations may change, but the memory of the martyrs would endure. “Those who have not allowed us to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard today are here only for a few days. They are here today; tomorrow they will not be. But these martyrs’ graves were here, they are here, and they will remain here. Today or tomorrow, we will go there again, lay flowers and offer prayers for the martyrs.”

Responding to a question on whether the restrictions had embarrassed the National Conference, Abdullah said the curbs instead undermined official claims that normalcy had returned to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We were not discredited by this. This discredits the people who take this decision. It actually calls into question all the claims that are being made about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Referring to security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, he said the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway itself reflected the prevailing security situation. “I don’t remember a time when, to conduct the Amarnath Yatra, we had to close the National Highway. But this year the National Highway is closed so that yatris can travel safely. What does that tell you about the security situation?”

He said only a small number of people had intended to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard. “We don’t go there in lakhs, perhaps not even in thousands. I would say not more than 150 people would have gone there had we been allowed. If they feel threatened even by 150 people visiting the graveyard, that discredits them, not us.”

Calls BJP notice a ‘love letter’

Responding to questions on the BJP’s legal notice over his recent allegations of attempts to poach MLAs, Abdullah clarified that he had not received any court summons.
“I have received a letter from a lawyer, not a physical copy. I have received an electronic copy of the letter.”

In a sarcastic remark, he added: “I consider this a great honour because I am the only politician in Jammu and Kashmir who has been bestowed with a love letter like this from the BJP.”

He accused the BJP of preferring litigation over political debate. “I made the point on a political stage expecting that the BJP would respond politically. They have chosen not to. They take political fights and hide behind the courts.”

Abdullah said the National Conference would now begin issuing legal notices to BJP leaders whom he accused of making defamatory allegations against the party and its leadership.