The 74th Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha unfurled the National Flag at the UT level function here at MA Stadium while a series of functions were today held across Kashmir division with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour to mark the day.
Meanwhile, unfurling of the National Flag was held amid impressive Parades and mega cultural events at all venues of functions organised at district, sub-division, tehsil and block levels across Jammu Kashmir.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor laid wreath at Police Martyrs Memorial & Balidan Stambh and paid tributes to brave hearts & war heroes of Mother India who made supreme sacrifices while protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.
In his Republic day address LG Manoj Sinha said that sustained efforts of security agencies have resulted in a marked decrease in terror incidents and that security forces have intensified direct attacks on the ecosystem that supports and finances terror.
“Every drop of blood and tears” shed in Jammu and Kashmir due to the barbaric killings of innocents at the behest of the neighbouring country will be avenged”,he added.
He assured the families, who lost their loved ones, that the entire nation stands with them and concrete measures will be taken to ensure that the families of the bravehearts live a life of comfort and dignity.
“Today, I bow to the brave soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir police, army andcentral security forces, who displayed unmatched heroism and the spirit ofsacrifice in defending the motherland”, he said.
On terrorism, the LG said, 180 terrorists were neutralised last year and there has been a corresponding reduction of 55 percent in civilian killings and 58 percent in the martyrdom of security forces.
“The security grid has been strengthened and anti-terror operations have been intensified through direct attacks on the ecosystem that supports and finances terror,” he said.
“A befitting reply is being given to narco-terrorists and seizures and arrests in narco-terror cases have increased. During the ‘Back to Village’ programme, a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign was organized in several identified panchayats. Those profiting from this vile business of death are to be blamed than those caught in the grip of drugs and the administration is determined to rehabilitate addicted youth”, he said.
Referring to the issue of ensuring safety and security of Kashmiri pandits working in the Kashmir valley, LG Manoj Sinha said their safety is our topmost priority. “The administration is trying to solve the problems of Kashmiri pandits with utmost sensitivity. All PM pacakge and minority employees working in the Kashmir valley have been deployed at safe places”.A nodal officer has been appointed in the Raj Bhawan and in every district to resolve issues related to their security and other problems. “The long standing issue of availability of land for their accommodations has been resolved and construction of 3000 accommodations for kashmiri pandits shall be completed this year”. Sinha said, the Kashmir Migrant portal which was launched in September last year for registering grievances for illegally encoroached properties durign the 1990’s has registered 8408 applciations and action has been taken on 6336 applications resulting in removal of encroachment on 2608 kanals of land.
Highlighjting the prevailing investment scenario LG Sinha said, the Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an Industrial Revolution for the first time in the last seven decades. It has opened up doors of immense possibilities for the new generation. Private investment proposals worth 66000 crore have been received within a period of around one year,during which 1455 Industrial units started their operations. The foudnation stone of Emaar group Shopping mall and IT Tower shall be laid in March 2023 and 52 other Industrial units will also start their operations during the same month.Furhter,land has been allotted to 1711 Industrial units which is also a new record.Another 77 Industrial units are being developed on private land and in the last three eyars 500 start ups have come up which have ushered in a new social revolution.
The Republic Day celebrations was attended by Chief Justice (A) Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court; Judges of the J&K and Ladakh High Court; Chief Election Commissioner of Jammu & Kashmir; Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation; Members of Parliament; DDC Chairperson, Jammu; Chief Secretary; DGP; Chairperson J&K Waqf Board; elected representatives of ULBs and PRIs; former Legislators; senior Civil, Police and Army officers; political and social leaders; prominent citizens, media persons and the citizenry.