I-Day celebrated amid tight security

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 16

The 71st Independence Day was celebrated with fervour across the Kashmir division with colourful functions at the 12 district and other tehsil headquarters.

The main I-Day function of the state was held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the march past presented by contingents of the police and schoolchildren.

Ministers and legislators hoisted the national flag at other district and tehsil headquarters. All functions were held under tight security to thwart any designs of militants.

Meanwhile, the Valley observed a shutdown in response to the separatists’ call. While the security forces maintained area domination around the venues of the I-Day functions, the movement of vehicles was restricted with blockades on various roads for the smooth conduct of the celebrations.

To ensure smooth celebrations, the authorities snapped the Internet services in Srinagar on Tuesday, which were restored in the afternoon following the conclusion of the function. However, Internet services remained suspended throughout the day in many parts of the Valley on Tuesday.

Apprehending trouble in view of the separatists’ shutdown call, train services between Baramulla in north Kashmir and Banihal in the Jammu region were also suspended. The services were restored this morning as normal life restored across the Valley.

Meanwhile, Minister for Revenue Abdul Rehman Veeri unfurled the national flag and took the salute at the march-past in Anantnag on Tuesday. In his address, the minister talked about the sacrifices of freedom fighters and pledged to uphold the spirit behind their sacrifices. He said mere political emancipation did not entail freedom, it was the economic self-sufficiency that completed the concept of freedom.

In Baramulla, Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari unfurled the Tricolour at a function at District Police Headquarters to mark the day. He inspected the parade, took the salute at the march-past, presented by contingents of the JKP, IRP, CRPF, Fire and Emergency and the NCC.

Ministers and leaders unfurled the national flag at the district headquarters in Pulwama, Kupwara, Budgam, Bandipora, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kargil and Leh.

BJP takes out ‘Tiranga yatra’

Srinagar: The BJP, Kashmir unit, organised a flag-hoisting ceremony at its party office while the youth wing of the party took out a ‘Tiranga yatra’ on Independence Day. During the flag-hoisting ceremony at the BJP headquarters at Jawahar Nagar, BJP district unit president Fayaz Ahmad Bhat said a change was taking place gradually in society as the people wanted to return to peace and normalcy. He said the Centre would take every possible measure to achieve the development targets. “On the special occasion, the people must join hands to negate all divisive and communal forces and promote societal harmony and brotherhood in the state,” BJP media secretary Altaf Thakur said. A ‘Tiranga yatra’ was also organised by the  BJYM from Dalgate to the Radio Kashmir Crossing area of Srinagar. Vice-chairman, Kissan Board, Daljeet Singh Chib was the chief guest on the occasion. TNS