J&Okay CM Omar Abdullah, Ministers go toSrinagars Mazar-e-Shuhada, saysbarriers have been raised, however so was our resolve

Mr. Abdullah was seen strolling as much as the Naqsbandh Sahib shrine at Khawaja Bazar, the place 22 civilians killed throughout an rebellion in opposition to the Dogra ruler are buried. The Chief Minister scaled the fenced wall of the premises as a result of the safety forces had blocked the doorway of the graveyard. A police officer made a bid to cease the J&Okay Chief Minister from providing ‘fateha’ on the graveyard.

National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah additionally joined the celebration leaders to supply floral tributes and recite particular prayers for the deceased civilians. A senior Cabinet minister, Sakina Ittoo, rode a two-wheeler to keep away from the safety checkpoints and reached the location.

It comes a day after the L-G administration barred the federal government and regional events from paying tributes on the website. The BJP had described the deceased civilians as “rioters”. The L-G administration dropped July 13 from the official vacation calendar of J&Okay after the Centre ended J&Okay’s particular standing in 2019.

“I used to be pushed, shoved and grappled by ‘protectors of the regulation’. My crime? Wanting to supply Fatiha on the graves of the martyrs of thirteenth July 1931. The males in uniform generally overlook the regulation. I received’t be stopped and I received’t be browbeaten. Barriers have been raised, however so was our resolve,” Mr. Abdullah mentioned.

Targeting J&Okay L-G Manoj Sinha, Mr. Abdullah mentioned, “It is unlucky. Those who declare their solely duty is regulation and order — we weren’t allowed to supply ‘fateha’ on July 13. When I instructed the management room that I meant to go to, a bunker car was parked exterior my residence until midnight (on Sunday). Even in the present day they (safety forces) tried to cease us by erecting autos. If the restrictions have been for July 13, underneath what regulation was I ended in the present day?” Mr. Abdullah mentioned.

He mentioned this nation is called a free nation, “however they (the L-G administration) suppose we’re their slaves”. “We usually are not their slaves. We are servants of our folks. They even tried to tear our celebration flag. If they cease us on July 13, we are going to go to on the following day or subsequent month. No one can cease us,” the Chief Minister mentioned.

Visibly indignant over the police motion, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq mentioned it’s for the primary time within the historical past of India that “an unelected authorities locked up an elected authorities”.

“What are they making an attempt to inform the world that there isn’t any democracy in J&Okay? What saddens us extra is that nobody in Delhi condemned the motion. We have been paying tributes to those martyrs for many years in J&Okay. Those taking selections don’t realise the bottom realities of J&Okay,” Mr. Sadiq mentioned.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the J&Okay L-G administration’s actions. “What is unsuitable in visiting the graveyard of martyrs? This will not be solely unlucky, it additionally snatches the democratic proper of a citizen. What occurred this morning to an elected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is unacceptable. Shocking. Shameful,” Ms. Banerjee mentioned, in a tweet.

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq posted a sarcastic assertion on X over the police motion. “Power teaches little, Powerlessness teaches extra!

Today the CM sahab tasted the bitter drugs of authoritarian high-handedness and subsequent helplessness that frequent Kashmiris face on a regular basis in numerous types, as all company and area are denied to them. Hoping this expertise shifts his focus to what’s the first precedence of each folks — upholding their dignity and their elementary rights and dealing sincerely in the direction of its restoration,” the Mirwaiz mentioned.

Meanwhile, J&Okay Peoples Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Lone mentioned it was all scripted. “For a second I used to be impressed. But now that you’ve given a ball-by-ball commentary of your so-called battle in reaching the Martyrs Graveyard, I’ll wager my life. It was all scripted,” Mr. Lone mentioned.