Thaindian News

Srinagar, Jan 26 (IANS) It was a peaceful Republic Day in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday with the main parade in summer capital Srinagar passing off uneventfully. There were no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere in the Valley where separatists had called a shutdown.

Finance Minister Abdur Rahim Rather unfurled the tricolor and took salute at the Bakshi Stadium where smartly turned out contingents of police, paramilitary, Home Guards and school children march passed the podium.

Rather said the situation had remarkably improved in the Kashmir Valley and time had come to focus on moral education of the youth.

“Democracy should be respected by everybody and all people associated with the democratic dispensation must exercise their powers and functions to bring relief into the lives of the ordinary people.

“While we talk of rights, we must also realise and respect our duties,” he said.

Senior civil, paramilitary officials and many prominent citizens attended the function that passed off peacefully.

Elaborate security arrangements made here to thwart separatist attempts to disrupt the official functions included switching off all mobile phone services.

This was done to ensure that no electronically controlled remote control devices were operated by the guerrillas.

Senior ministers of the government have presided over similar functions at all other district headquarters of the Valley.

A complete shutdown was called by separatist leaders Thursday.