Srinagar, July 13 : Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, took to the streets on foot after claiming that the police had denied him escort vehicles and ITBP personnel cover. Abdullah, the Vice President of the National Conference (NC), was en route to the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, to commemorate the 22 Kashmiri individuals who lost their lives in 1931 under the rule of a Dogra ruler.
Abdullah alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Police refused to provide him with the necessary security arrangements for his visit. While there was no immediate response from the police, Abdullah remained undeterred and began his journey on foot from his residence in the Gupkar area of Srinagar. A small group of his special security group personnel, responsible for guarding VVIPs, accompanied him on the walk.
Abdullah documented his walk to the office by posting a video on Twitter. He expressed his determination, stating, “Dear @JmuKmrPolice, don’t think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I’ll walk to where I have to get to, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now.”
Upon reaching the party office, where some party leaders and activists awaited him, Abdullah commented that the police would now provide the necessary security arrangements. He further revealed that several of his senior colleagues had also been prevented from reaching the NC office by similar tactics of stopping them at their homes.
The NC confirmed that Abdullah’s purpose was to address party workers and pay tribute to the martyrs of 1931. Despite the restrictions imposed on him, Abdullah chose to walk to the Nawa-i-Subah office, displaying his commitment to honoring the 1931 martyrs.
July 13 used to be a public holiday in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, marked by an official function attended by the chief minister or governor as the chief guest. However, since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the state into Union territories, the day was no longer recognized as a gazetted holiday from 2020 onwards. Political leaders have faced limitations on their movement and have been prohibited from visiting the Martyrs’ graveyard in the city to pay homage to the Kashmiris who lost their lives during the protest against the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh.
