By IANS
Srinagar : Celebrations marking India’s 60th anniversary of independence in Jammu and Kashmir passed off peacefully Wednesday even as Srinagar wore a deserted look due to a shutdown call by the separatists.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad unfurled the national flag and took salute at a well-attended function at the Bakshi Stadium here.
“Trade across the Line of Control is now awaiting Pakistan’s green signal,” Azad said in his speech.
He, however, admitted that the ongoing bilateral peace process had somewhat slowed down recently because of the internal situation in Pakistan.
“I pray the situation improves in Pakistan so that the peace process reaches its logical conclusion,” he said.
The chief minister said the biggest gift of the peace process between India and Pakistan was calm borders. “This had brought a tremendous change and relief into the lives of the people who live close to the borders.”
Azad said development and prosperity was possible only once the bloodshed ended.
“Efforts are on to bring back the migrant pandit (Hindu) community to the valley, but till such times, the government is constructing 4,200 flats in Jammu for their accommodation,” he said.
Azad expressed concern over the recent fire incident inside the army’s south Kashmir Khandroo ammunition depot and vowed that the affected families will be returned to their homes within a week.
“The uprooted families shall be allowed to return to their homes within the next seven days,” he said.
The chief minister took salute at an impressive parade where contingents of the police, paramilitary, home guards and school children marched pass the podium.
Wednesday’s function at the Bakshi Stadium was well attended with mainstream politicians, senior civil and military officers and prominent citizens turning out in a large number to witness the colourful parade.
There was unprecedented security around the parade venue where trucks of the paramilitary forces had been parked across the roads to prevent any suicide attacks.
Even though Srinagar city wore a deserted look amid fears of guerrilla attacks and also in response to the separatist shutdown call, the authorities succeeded in ensuring a completely incident free independence function.
Reports reaching here from the district headquarters of Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Badgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Kupwara said the official functions to mark the country’s independence day passed off peacefully.