Srinagar, July 15 -- Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and his National Conference colleagues on Monday dodged police curbs, sprinted on foot and scaled a wall to pay tributes to 21 Kashmiris killed by the Dogra army in 1931, a day after several political leaders alleged they were not allowed to visit the Mazar-e-Shuhada (martyrs' graveyard) in Srinagar. Videos of the CM and his colleagues scaling the wall of the cemetery were shared widely on social media. "Paid my respects & offered Fatiha (prayers) at the graves of the martyrs of 13th July 1931. The unelected government tried to block my way forcing me to walk from Nawhatta chowk. They blocked the gate to Naqshband Sahib shrine forcing me to scale a wall. They tried to physically grapple me but I was not going to be stopped today," Omar posted on X. Health and education minister Sakina Ittoo also reached the graveyard on a scooty, allegedly without any official protocol. Omar's father and NC president Farooq Abdullah also offered prayers at the cemetery. Omar criticised lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and the police for allegedly trying to stop him from entering the graveyard. "It is sad that on the instructions of the people who claim that their responsibility is the security and law and order, we were not allowed to offer Fatiha here. We were kept in house arrest (on Sunday)..." Omar told reporters after paying tributes at the graveyard. "Barriers were raised, but so was our resolve. Today, we stood firm at the Mazar-e-Shohada, offering Fatiha, laying flowers, and honouring the valour of 1931," he said. A political row erupted after the incident. Backing Omar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said: "What is wrong in visiting the graveyard of martyrs? This is not only unfortunate, it also snatches the democratic right of a citizen." J&K BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said, "Omar Abdullah is shamelessly indulging in the politics of graves just to remain politically relevant." RELATED REPORT P6...