'Martyrs Day' passes off peacefully

The situation was peaceful throughout the Kashmir Valley today even as restrictions were imposed in Srinagar to prevent a separatist rally coinciding with "Martyrs' Day", commemorating the day in 1931 when the central jail here was stormed and guards opened fire, killing many people.

The situation was peaceful throughout the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday even as restrictions were imposed in Srinagar to prevent a separatist rally coinciding with "Martyrs' Day", commemorating the day in 1931 when the central jail here was stormed and guards opened fire, killing many people.

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"Restrictions remained in force in Srinagar city during the day, but we have eased them in entire uptown Srinagar city now except Batmaloo area," a senior police officer said here.

"Traffic started moving on the uptown roads in Srinagar as the restrictions were eased in the evening. Pavement vendors also came out to sell their merchandise. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the Valley today (Tuesday)," he said, adding the restrictions will also be lifted from the old city areas later.

Sopore town, 54 km from here, continued to remain under curfew which was reimposed there on Monday after incidents of stone pelting during the relaxation period.

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and his father, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, visited the Martyrs' Graveyard in old city's Naqashband Sahib area on Tuesday morning to pay floral tributes and offer prayers there.

There was heavy deployment of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) around the Martyrs' Graveyard to facilitate the VVIP visits during the day.

It was on July 13, 1931 when people revolting against the autocratic rule of then Dogra ruler Hari Singh stormed the central jail in Srinagar city. Jail guards opened fire, killing many people.

The graveyard the victims were buried in has since been known as the Martyrs' Graveyard.

After separatist violence broke out here in 1990, those killed during the violence were buried at Eidgah area in the old city since there was not enough space in the Martyrs' Graveyard. The burial ground in Eidgah area has also come to be known as the Martyrs' Graveyard.