Martyr's Day marked by shutdown, protests in Srinagar

Authorities imposed restrictions in certain areas of Srinagar on Saturday to scuttle a protest march called by separatists to coincide with Martyr's Day.

The protest marches had been called by moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq and hard-line APHC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Both leaders have been placed under house arrest.

Reportage: Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar

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The separatists have also called for a shutdown in the valley.

On this day in 1931, 21 Kashmiris were killed when jail guards opened fire during an uprising against the autocratic rule of Dogra Maharaja outside the central jail in Srinagar.

Martyr's Day in Kashmir is being observed in the Valley across the political divide of mainstream and separatist leaders.

Authorities have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the martyr's graveyard in the Khawaja Bazaar locality of the old city.

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They have deployed personnel of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force in the area, which witnessed fierce clashes between protestors and security personnel after the Friday prayers.

Trouble erupted on Friday evening when protestors started pelting stones at security forces after prayers.

Six people were injured in the clashes, according to police.

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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with his ministerial colleagues and senior officers, was the first to visit the graveyard on Saturday morning.

He offered floral tributes while police presented a guard of honour.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also visited the graveyard and paid tributes to the martyrs.

He also flayed the state government for imposing restrictions in the old city.

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