Monday, July 13, 2009
Kashmir’s ‘Martyrs’ Day’ by Gianluca Costantini
July 13 is marked in Indian-administered Kashmir as 'Martyrs' Day', which marks Maharaja Hari Singh's use of force in 1931 to quell protests against his rule, resulting in the death of 23 Muslims.Separatists had planned to hold anti-India demonstrations but authorities responded with hardline measures detaining and arresting key separatists.
Despite strict security two separatists — Javed Mir and Shahidul Islam — appeared at Lal Chowk only to be detained by the police.
Indian police detain separatist leader Javed Mir during a protest in Srinagar on July 13, 2009.
Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir deployed thousands of security personnel in Srinagar to prevent separatist protests on the key state holiday, officials said.
