Srinagar, July 13: Amid tight security and curfew like restrictions, leaders of National Conference, Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party today offered floral tributes and prayers to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 at the Martyrs Graveyard in the old city here.
National Conference leaders led by party President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were the first to reach the martyrs graveyard at Naqshband Sahab in Khawaja Bazar area to pay the tributes.
The Chief Minister prayed for return of peace and prosperity in the state at the Naqshband Sahib shrine. In his message,he said “The democratic rights that we enjoy are the result of the sacrifices made by the martyrs.”
 Senior NC leaders including Finance Minister A R Rather, Law Minister A M Sagar, Speaker Legislative Assembly Muhammad Akbar Lone and legislators also offered prayers for the martyrs.
 The Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khuda, and senior civil and police officers were present on the occasion. They also offered ‘Fateha’ at the graveyard, a government spokesman said. On the occasion a contingent of Jammu and Kashmir Police presented the guard of honour.
 Senior Congress leaders and ministers in the coalition government, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Peerzada Muhammad Syed offered flowers at the martyrs graveyard.
 PDP Patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed also visited the graveyard and paid tributes to the martyrs. “These martyrs with their blood wrote a new chapter in the history of the state which created an urge among the people for freedom and dignity,” he said.
 The NC leaders later convened a meeting at party headquarters to pay homage to the martyrs.
 Paying glowing tributes, Governor N N Vohra said, “Peace and tranquillity is vital pre-requisite for achieving progress and all the stakeholders require to work closely together to achieve this objective.”
 In his message, Dr Farooq Abdullah said, “NC is the result of the sacrifices given by the martyrs in 1931. We are indebted to them.”
 Curfew was clamped in Batamaloo area of Srinagar and Sopur town while prohibitory orders remained in force in rest of the Kashmir Valley ahead of a march planned by separatists from martyrs graveyard.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST