Kashmir R-Day passes peacefully

All roads leading to the venue were sealed and entry was highly regulated through special passes.

Cultural programmes were also held at the stadium after the parade in which cultural diversity of the state was highlighted by various performing groups.

Speaking on the occasion, State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said that Kashmir has witnessed complete peace and normalcy last year and the government believes that peace will prevail in this trouble torn state.

He highlighted the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led Congress-National Conference government, which completed its three years in office early this month.

"Our Government wants development and people know how we are striving for the development of the state," he said.

He lamented that the society has been degenerating day by day.

"Youths should be imparted moral education and there is a dire need to show right direction to them."

He applauded the security forces and police for guarding the rights of the common people.

"Jammu and Kashmir Police has played a key role in bringing normalcy in Kashmir while it´s our prime duty to remember and applaud men in uniform who guard our boarders and enable us to sleep freely." Rather said.

Prominent political workers, Police and administrative officials were present at Bakshi Stadium.

Unlike last year, Oppostion Leader and the president of Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti too attended the Republic Day function.

Republic Day celebrations were also peacefully celebrated in other parts of Kashmir including Ganderba, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwamma, Bandipora, Budgam and Kupwara.

Heavy security was deployed across Srinagar and other major towns in the state to foil any attempt by militants to disturb the Republic Day celebrations.

Troops in full battle gear patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar city, whilst sharpshooters watched from rooftops.

The state government imposed an undeclared curfew, turning Srinagar into a fortress. Mobile service operators blocked services for a few hours. Vehicle movement was also restrictive, while most shops remained closed.

"We had to face a lot of difficulties, as from home to this place, police questioned me around ten times as to where are you going, why are you going? So, one had to face problems in all aspects," said Hilal Ahmed, a resident from central district Budgam.

Sumaira, resident of downtown Srinagar told IBNS that it becomes very difficult for a common Kashmiri, especially women folk, to move out from their houses during Indian Independence and Republic Day celebrations.

"How can you expect a common person to entrer Bakshi Stadium and watch the celebrations even as you are not allowed to come out from your house. This is very strange. This is not a celebration but a formality which is being completed in haste to preserve the honour," she said.

Mobile phone services all across Kashmir were withdrawn to prevent separatists from triggering electronically-controlled remote devices.

"This was part of the standard security drill. The service was restored immediately after the official parade ended peacefully," a police officer told IBNS.

No major untoward incident was reported in the valley though some black flags were seen in Srinagar´s Old City areas in response to the separatist appeals to observe the Republic Day as a black day.

Hurriyat hawk, Syed Ali Geelani had called for complete shutdown of Kashmir on Jan 26 .

He said "India has no right to celebrate its Republic Day while it continued to forcibly occupy Jammu and Kashmir".

The Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference has in a statement issued in Srinagar called upon the Ulema to raise their voice against the "Indian occupation in Kashmir".

"New Delhi wants to erase the Muslim identity of Jammu and Kashmir through its policy of cultural aggression. Therefore, it is the responsibility of Ulema to raise their voice against the Indian occupation which is the mother of all evils," he said.

A top police official said that no untoward incident was reported from any part of the Valley.