Jammu Kashmir National Conference on Sunday condemned the house detention of political leaders from across parties, including its own senior members, on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day.
The day, observed annually on July 13, commemorates the killing of 22 civilians outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931 during protests against the Dogra monarchy.
The incident is considered a defining moment in Kashmir’s political history and has been marked by public tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta.
National Conference leader Salman Ali Sagar, who along with other party members staged a protest in Srinagar, criticised the administration’s decision to restrict movement and prevent political leaders from paying tributes.
“This is not about us or the National Conference. The 1931 heroes are symbols of our collective fight and conscience. And whichever party leader has been detained, it is condemnable. We denounce such moves to disallow politicians across party lines from moving freely and paying tributes to the July 1931 martyrs,” Sagar said.
He described the detentions as “high-handedness” and said such measures would only erode faith in the political process in the region.
Meanwhile, several leaders from the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political formations stated they were placed under house detention ahead of the planned march to the Martyrs’ Graveyard.
The administration had earlier denied permission for any public gatherings in Khawaja Bazar, citing law and order concerns.