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PDP Leaders Detained, Barred from March on Martyrs’ Day

Srinagar, July 13:
In a sweeping crackdown ahead of Martyrs’ Day, several senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been either detained or placed under house arrest, severely restricting their movement and participation in the party’s planned programme at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Khawaja Bazar, Srinagar.

According to reports and confirmations from party sources:
• Mohammad Yaseen Bhat, PDP’s District President Budgam, has been put under house arrest in the early hours of the morning. Mr. Bhat himself confirmed the development.
• Manzoor Ahmad Wani, PDP Constituency Incharge Khansahab, has been barred from travelling to Srinagar to take part in the party’s commemorative event.
• Arif Laigaroo, a senior PDP leader, was detained from his residence at 6 AM and is currently being held at Saddar Police Station.
• Mohammad Rafique Rather, District President Baramulla, has also been placed under house arrest. A police contingent reached his residence early in the morning and he has not been allowed to step out since.
• Shokia Qurashi, PDP Additional Spokesperson, was prevented by police from proceeding to the party headquarters to join the 13th July Martyrs’ Day march.

In a parallel move, all approach roads leading to the PDP Headquarters in Srinagar have been sealed off by security forces. The main office gate has been locked, with heavy police deployment reported in the area.

This stringent action by the authorities comes on a day marked in Kashmir’s political history as Martyrs’ Day, observed in memory of the 22 civilians who were killed by Dogra forces on July 13, 1931, while protesting autocratic rule.

PDP has strongly condemned the detentions and restrictions, terming them as a blatant attempt to stifle democratic rights and suppress political expression in Jammu and Kashmir.

Further developments are awaited as the situation unfolds.