Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 15: Independence Day celebrations across the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir region were held peacefully and without incident, the administration said today. "The main function was held in the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, where Governor Satyapal Malik unfurled the flag. Events concluded peacefully... celebrations were held in all districts. The entire day was incident-free," Rohit Kansal, Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary, said.
Earlier in the day Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik unfurled the national flag and assured people they need not fear for their identities following the centre's contentious decision regarding withdrawal of special status.
"I assure the people of Jammu & Kashmir that their identity is not on the line, it hasn't been tampered with.
The constitution of India allows different regional identities to flourish," the Governor was quoted as saying.
"The changes that the Central Government has brought are not only historic but also open a new door for the development of the people of Jammu-Kashmir, & Ladakh," he added.
Independence Day events were also held in Rajouri and Anantnag districts, where Deputy Commissioners Mohammad Aijaz Asad and Khalid Jahangir presided over the flag-raising ceremonies.
A flag-raising ceremony was also held in Ladakh, where BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal showed off his dance moves.
Rohit Kansal, who addressed reporters today, pointed to the reopening of night-time operations at Srinagar airport as further signs of normalcy.
"As we speak, we are having the first night flight take off from Srinagar airport at 7.15 pm.
Airport had already been cleared for night flights. Nearly 150 passengers... marks (start of) night operations from Srinagar airport," Mr Kansal said. |
