In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was compelled to scale the boundary wall of the Mazar-e-Shuhada at Naqshband Sahib in Srinagar to pay his respects to the martyrs of July 13, 1931. This desperate measure was taken amidst severe restrictions imposed by Indian forces.
On July 13, 1931, approximately 22 Kashmiris were martyred by the troops of Dogra Maharaja. They had gathered outside the Central Jail in Srinagar to show support for Abdul Qadeer, who faced charges of instigating people to defy the Dogra Rule.
Indian forces had sealed the graveyard and imposed restrictions on the movement of political leaders, effectively blocking Kashmiri leaders from visiting the site on the anniversary of the 1931 uprising.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Abdullah wrote: “Paid my respects & offered Fatiha at the graves of the martyrs of 13th July 1931. The unelected government tried to block my way, forcing me to walk from Nawhatta Chowk. They blocked the gate to Naqshband Sb shrine forcing me to scale a wall. They tried to physically grapple me.”
Speaking to the media later, Abdullah revealed that a security bunker had been placed outside his residence to prevent his visit. “Today I did not inform anyone. I quietly drove here myself,” he added.
Visuals from the scene also showed senior National Conference (NC) leader Sakina Itoo arriving at the site on a scooty, highlighting the determination of leaders to defy the restrictions.
