Srinagar, Jan 26: Amid tight security, Republic Day celebrations in Kashmir passed off peacefully with unfurling of the tricolour and cultural programmes at various places. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asghar Samoon took the salute at the march past at Bakshi Stadium, where the main function in the Valley was held.
Despite bone-chilling cold, good turnout was witnessed at the Republic day functions at various district headquarters in the Valley, officials said.
It was for the second time in as many years that a civilian administrator, and not a minister of the state government, presided over the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium due to Governor’s Rule in the state.
“The Republic Day celebrations have concluded across Kashmir peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the Valley,” a senior police officer said.
He said adequate security arrangements were put in place to thwart any designs of militants to disrupt the celebrations.
Heightened security arrangements were put in place across the Valley in view of the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase in Punjab on January 2.
Deputy Commissioners of respective districts presided over the Republic Day functions. Besides march past by contingents of police, police, CRPF, BSF and school children, cultural programmes were performed at the functions at several places in the Valley.
