J&K: Omar slams local media silence over detention of elected leaders on Martyrs’ Day

Srinagar, July 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accused a large section of local newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir of deliberately burying the “mass detention” of the elected government along with most elected representatives on the Martyrs’ Day.

The administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha denied permission for any event to mark the anniversary of the July 13, 1931 killings in Kashmir during a protest against Hari Singh, ruler of the then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under British paramountcy. The administration also imposed strict restrictions in parts of Srinagar and warned of strict action against anyone who tried to proceed towards the Martyrs’ graveyard, the resting place of 22 people who were killed during the protest.

The Chief Minister after arriving from Delhi last evening alleged that he and the elected representatives were “locked up” and termed it as the “tyranny of the unelected” in Jammu and Kashmir. The CM was also allegedly barred from visiting Martyrs graveyard.

Taking to social media today, Omar expressed deep disappointment that the majority of the local newspapers have buried the news story on their house detention.

“Take a look at our local newspapers — both from Jammu & from Srinagar, English & vernacular. You’ll be able to distinguish the cowards from the ones with guts. The cowards have completely buried the fact that the entire elected government was locked up yesterday along with most elected representatives. The newspapers with some guts have put it on the front page. Shame on the sellouts who buried the story. I hope the size of the envelope was worth it,” Omar said on X.

There was no immediate response from media bodies over the Chief Minister’s remarks.