The Republic Day celebrations were held in Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened security and passed off peacefully even as separatist sponsored shutdown affected normal life in Kashmir Valley. The main function in Kashmir was held at highly fortified Bakshi Stadium in summer capital Srinagar where Divisional Commissioner hoisted Tricolour and took salute at the march past.
This was second time in as many years when a top bureaucrat presided over the main Republic Day function. like last year, the embattled State is under Governor’s rule due to political situation that arose after demise of Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on January 7.
The normal life went out of gear in the Valley due to shutdown call by all separatist political and militant groups. The separatists routinely call for shutdown in Kashmir on national days since 1989, the beginning year of the armed insurgency in the region.
Shops, business establishments and private tuition centres remained shut and public transport was off the roads. The people generally avoid coming out of their homes due to official holiday, shutdown call, heightened security and biting cold.