Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday placed separatist leaders Shabir Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest ahead of their joint anti-India rally scheduled to be held on Martyrs' Day, July 13.
Three major separatist factions of Kashmir – Hurriyat (M), Hurriyat (G) and JKLF – had earlier decided to present a united face on Martyrs' Day by holding a rally together.
According to media reports, the three separatist leaders were scheduled to offer Nimaz-i-Zohar (midday prayers) together at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, address the joint rally and later to lead a massive procession.
Notably, for the first time in 25 years since the start of militancy in Kashmir, the separatists have not called for a general strike on Martyrs' Day on Monday in view of the fasting month of Ramzan.
The legacy of July 13 Martyrs incident, in which 21 protesters were killed in firing by Dogra Army outside Srinagar Central Jail in 1931, is claimed by both the mainstream political parties of the Valley and the separatist groups.
While the day is observed as an official holiday every year, the separatists have been calling for a general strike on this day since 1990 to commemorate the sacrifices.
