Mehbooba Mufti calls for collective fight against militants

Srinagar: Three days after seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today toughened her stand against militants, saying there was a need for a collective fight against those few people who have infused fear in the public.

“The situation in J&K has been taken hostage by a few people who have infused fear in public. We need to fight against them,” Mehbooba Mufti told reporters after paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931 here.

Martyrs’ Day was observed today to pay homage to the 22 persons, who were killed in firing by troopers of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh at the Srinagar’s Central Jail on July 13, 1931.

Every year the state government observes a function to remember these martyrs. The day is an official holiday across the state.

Amid tight security, mainstream political leaders, including the Chief Minister, offered prayers and paid floral tributes at the graveyard at Naqshband Sahib in old city. A 21-gun salute and guard of honour were presented in the memory of the martyrs.

Mehbooba said the martyrs of 1931 sacrificed their lives for setting up democratic rule in J&K of which Kashmiriyat was the basic principle. “We should struggle to make J&K a prosperous state for which martyrs laid their lives,” she said.

Incidentally, the PDP’s coalition partner, BJP, skipped the official function.“Disrespecting martyrs of 1931 amounts to disrespecting the Constitution of J&K,” said Congress state chief GA Mir with reference to the BJP.

Leaders of other mainstream parties, including the National Conference and the Congress, also paid homage to the martyrs.

The Chief Minister said the condemnation against the killings of Amarnath pilgrims from different shades of opinions in Kashmir had sent a message to the world that Kashmiriyat was still alive.

Separatist leaders were not allowed to hold any rally or programme due to restrictions put in place by the government. However, a complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir.