Remembering the martyrs of 1931, Congress today paid rich tributes to those who had laid down their lives to protest the “oppressive’’ policies of Dogra rulers.

Congress hailed the sacrifices which were rendered by the martyrs in the way of “oppressed and suppressed people of Kashmir’’.

“We laud the sacrifices of those who fought for those who were not even able to raise their heads against suppression of the rulers,’’ said Congress president, G A Mir. Heading the Congress delegation to the martyrs grave-yard at Nowhatta in Srinagar today, Mir was also accompanied by senior party leaders who paid “floral tributes’’ to the martyrs and recalled their “selfless services and sacrifices.’’

Commenting on the 1931 martyrdom, Mir said the 13 July will continue to remain as “an important part of history and it will continue to remind the people of the sacrifices of martyrs who achieved martyrdom for themselves, but respect and prestige for the common people.’’

Congress president described the 1931 Martyrs as real champions of struggle, saying that they will always be remembered for their sacrifices and people will continue to remain “indebted to them for fighting the battle against the autocratic rule.’’

“The martyrs laid down their lives for betterment and prestige of common innocent people,’’ he added.

Lashing out at those disrespecting martyrs, Mir said that no one in the state or “country can deny or forget the sacrifices of martyrs and any individual or group.’’ He took a dig at BJP for disrespecting martyrs stating that it “amounts to disrespecting constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, which is very unfortunate and unacceptable and deserves condemnation.’’

Congress President also said the best way to pay tributes to “martyrs is to safeguard the composite culture of multiplicity, amity and communal harmony in the state.’’ “ Besides that we all should remain vigilant against the forces harming the age-old tradition of brotherhood and amity in the state.’’

Mir also took the opportunity to appeal people of “state to ensure defeat of fascist and communal forces dividing people on religious lines to serve the vested interests and dirty political ends.’’

Among others who paid respects include Congress MLC and Vice President, Gulam Nabi Monga, MLA Usman Majeed, party spokesperson, Farooq Andrabi, Surinder Singh Channi, Zahid Hussain Jan G. N. Mir Lasjan, Abdul Gani Khan, Aftab Ahmad Beigh, Mohd Sultan, Irfan Naqib, Dr. Syed Ahmad, Imtiyaz Khan, Amir Rasool, Mir Ruvais, Abdul Ahad Tara, Ab. Ahad Bhat, Shameema Khan, Nazir Ahmad Lone, Yasir Pandit and others.

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