All eyes are on July 13 as political parties await clarity on whether the Jammu and Kashmir Police will permit leaders to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar’s old city to mark Martyrs’ Day.

July 13 is observed in Jammu and Kashmir in memory of the 22 people killed by the Dogra army outside Srinagar’s Central Jail in 1931. The Lieutenant Governor’s administration removed the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020.

For the past few years, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which functions under the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, has not allowed political leaders to visit the graveyard on the occasion.

Last year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had to confront police personnel, walk on foot and even scale a wall to enter the Martyrs’ Graveyard. Several National Conference (NC) leaders and members of opposition parties were allegedly placed under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the graveyard.

Whether political leaders will be allowed to visit this year remains uncertain.

On Saturday, Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the party would offer prayers and pay floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Graveyard on July 13.

He said AIP state secretary Sheikh Ashiq has formally submitted an application to the district administration seeking permission and a suitable time slot for Fateh Khawani and floral tributes.

According to Nabi, the party leadership, workers and supporters will gather at the graveyard to offer prayers, pay tributes and remember the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The AIP also said that Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, who remains lodged in Tihar Jail, will observe a day-long hunger strike on July 13 as a mark of respect to the martyrs of 1931.

National Conference leader and MLA Hasnain Masoodi said, “July 13 lives in our hearts.”

He said no ban could erase the sacrifices of the martyrs and asserted that the party would visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard.