| First time in Jammu, I-Day under siege | | Bloeria to hoist flag at official affair, Samiti to have a parallel function | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Aug 13
With schools, colleges and other educational institutes continuously shut for last more than 20 days, the Independence Day, falling on Friday, is all set to be ‘celebrated’ under siege amidst a thick canopy of security forces and a shut city.
Dr Sudhir Singh Bloeria, the newly appointed Advisor to the Governor, will unfurl the National Flag and take salute at the main official Independence Day celebration to be held at the MAM Stadium here on Friday.
Perhaps first time in the history of Jammu, the official national day is going to be boycotted by most of the locals. The Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, spearheading ongoing agitation, has declared that its members and supporters will not participate in the official function and instead they will organize a parallel function. Going by the decision of Samiti, it is very unlikely to expect any local in the official Independence Day function.
The rehearsal for Independent Day parade which has been going for past few days is attended only by the cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police and other paramilitary forces. Earlier it used to be an enthusiastic and colourful show of the school children. However, since most of the schools have not been able to resume their activities after summer vacation, there is no likelihood of children participating in the Independence Day celebrations.
Sources said that the local administration had made efforts to manage few hundred school children for their participation in the Independent Day celebrations but this could not be materialized. The managements of the schools showed their inability in extracting the children for rehearsal and practices amidst tension in town which is every day rocked by protests and demonstration.
Under the prevailing circumstances, the public participation is also likely to be dismal even though the Samiti spearheading the agitation has asked people to observer the national day with enthusiasm. But it has also asked them not to participate in the official function. Transport is yet another problem which is likely to keep people away from the venue. Though the local administration has announced alternativene arrangements by pressing the buses of State Road Transport Corporation but it is to be seen how many people turn up on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Mandeep K. Bhandari today asked J&K State Road Transport Corporation to deploy 20 buses on complementary basis for shuttle service in Jammu city to facilitate transportation for general public to Mini Stadium and back for attending Independence Day Celebration.
The shuttle service shall start at 6 am on 15th August, 2008 from starting point of the routes which include Main Chowk Shastri Nagar, Dudhadari Temple, Apsara Road, Gole Market, Green Belt Bikram Chowk to route number 1, Miran Sahib, Satwari, Vikram Chowk, Dogra Chowk of route number 2, Patta Borhi, Talab Tillo, Canal, Jewel Chowk route number 3, Paloura Talab, Bakshi Nagar, B.C Road of route number 4, Janipur Colony, New Plot, Ambphalla, Rehari Chungi, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk to route number 5, D. C Office, Residency Road, Vivekananda Chowk, J.P Crossing, Indira Chowk of route number 6, Panjtirthi, CPO Chowk, Ambphalla, Rehari, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk of route number 7, Chhani Himmat, Main Market, Trikuta Nagar, Bahu Plaza, Panama Chowk, University, Bikram Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Indira Chowk of route number 8, Sidhra Colony, Radio Station, CPO Chowk, Ambphalla, Rehari, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk of route number 9 and Greater Kailash Sector 4, Sainik Colony, Bhatindi, Narwal, Panama Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Bahu Bridge, Vivekanand Chowk, J.P Chowk, Indira Chowk of route number 10 to the venue. |
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