SRINAGAR: On the occasion of the 13th July Martyrs’ Day observance, several senior National Conference leaders including MLAs, party functionaries and YNC members were barred from visiting the historic Mazar-e-Shohada in Srinagar, the party said on Sunday.
Among those stopped from offering Fatiha and floral tributes were Provincial President Kashmir Showkat Mir, Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, party leader Shafkat Watali and YNC Provincial President Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, the party said in a statement issued here, adding that scores of Youth National Conference (YNC) members who had gathered to commemorate the sacrifices of the 1931 martyrs were detained by police and held in custody until 4:00 PM.
In addition to the on-ground detentions, several senior party leaders, including legislators and cabinet ministers were placed under house arrest and prevented from leaving their residences to participate in the observance.
The stringent security measures and detentions drew sharp criticism from party ranks, who termed the move as an attempt to stifle democratic expression and deny people the right to honor their historical legacy.