R-Day celebrations held peacefully across Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 26: The Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully across Kashmir region on Thursday and no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the region, officials said.
The main function was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium at Sonawar where Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Rajesh Rai Bhatnagar was chief guest and presided over the function. He unfurled tricolor, inspected the parade and took the ceremonial salute.
In Kashmir, authorities had placed multi-layer security arrangements for smooth conduct of the January 26 functions. Drones and camera-fitted vehicles and CCTV were used to monitor the overall situation during the functions across Kashmir.
All entry points leading toward Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here were monitored while policemen and paramilitary forces stood guard to allow only authorised movement toward the main venue to prevent any untoward incident.
A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that adequate security arrangements were put in place across Kashmir, main highways, major junctions, and hot spots to thwart any untoward incident.
“No untoward incident was reported anywhere in Valley during January 26 functions held in all districts. High-tech drones and CCTV were used to monitor the overall situation during the functions across Kashmir,” he said.
The officer said after reviewing the situation in Valley, this year police had decided not to snap mobile and internet services on 26th January.
“There is neither internet shutdown nor any restrictions on movement of people,” he said.
In Srinagar, shops at City Centre Lal Chowk remained open while business establishments remained closed in most places.
Public transport, particularly buses and mini-buses remained off the roads. However, private transport including cabs, cars, auto-rickshaws were visible on the roads.
The Srinagar administration had set up large screens along with speakers at several places including Jehangir Chowk and MA Road to telecast live Republic Day speech of LG Sinha from Jammu.
Similar Republic Day functions were held at all district headquarters of the valley where respective deputy commissioners presided over the proceedings.
Amid snowfall in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and Kulgam districts March parade was held, which had painted the parade ground white at both places.
In north Kashmir’s Pattan town, a group of school children took out a ‘tiranga’ rally to mark the Republic Day celebrations in the area.
In Valley, most government buildings, including higher educational institutes unflured the tricolor and sang the national anthem.