Illegal lockdown shadows Kashmir Martyrs’ Day

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2026) Hurriyat leader Abdul Hamid Lone on Wednesday paid rich tribute to martyred Kashmiri leaders Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone and the martyrs of Hawal on their death anniversaries, while condemning India’s crackdown in Srinagar, including the house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, sealing of the Eidgah and restrictions on access to the Martyrs’ Graveyard to prevent people from paying homage to the deceased leaders and victims.

In a statement, Abdul Hamid Lone said Indian authorities had placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest at his residence in Srinagar ahead of the anniversary commemorations.

He termed the restrictions, detentions and heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel around the Martyrs’ Graveyard and Eidgah as “repressive measures” aimed at suppressing the political and religious sentiments of Kashmiris.

Mr Lone said Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq was assassinated by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Srinagar on May 21, 1990.

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On the same day, more than 70 mourners were killed when Indian forces allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on his funeral procession in the Hawal area of Srinagar.

Abdul Hamid Lone further recalled that senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on May 21, 2002 while addressing a gathering in memory of martyrs in Srinagar.

He alleged that Indian forces had sealed Srinagar Eidgah and blocked all routes leading to the Martyrs’ Graveyard to stop people from offering tributes to the martyrs.

Calling the sealing of the graveyard a “symbol of state oppression”, he said the continued restrictions reflected India’s policy of denying Kashmiris their right to collective remembrance and religious expression.

The Hurriyat leader also strongly condemned the house arrests and restrictions imposed on pro-freedom leaders and activists across the valley.