Srinagar, August 15
While the main function of Independence Day was held under tight security at the Bakshi Stadium here, militants today hurled a grenade at a function in north Kashmir, injuring 14 persons, two of them seriously.

The main function was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed amid a general strike throughout the Kashmir valley. Several ministers attended functions at other district headquarters across the state, including Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh at Baramula and Rural Development Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed at Anantnag.

At Raj Bhavan, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr Arun Kumar, unfurled the Tricolour in the presence of contingents of the BSF, the police and Jammu and Kashmir fire services deployed in the Governor’s Secretariat. A strong contingent of the BSF presented salute and the National Anthem was played. Officers and staff were present. BSF Inspector-General J.B. Negi unfurled the National Flag at Clock Tower in the Lal Chowk area this morning.

Normal life came to a standstill throughout the valley in response to the general strike call by both factions of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference and other separatist organisations.

At least 14 persons were injured, two of them seriously, when militants hurled a grenade at an Independence Day function at Dangiwacha in Baramula district of north Kashmir this morning. The incident took place when the function organised at an Army camp was being concluded. The seriously injured were shifted to a hospital.

In his address at the Bakshi Stadium, the Chief Minister asked the separatist leadership to respond positively to the offer of dialogue made by the Centre, adding that this opportunity must be grabbed. He called upon the Hurriyat Conference to courageously accept the offer and said his government had facilitated the creation of an atmosphere conducive for the dialogue process. He also appealed the gun-wielding youth to shun violence, saying the gun had no relevance when dialogue and a peace process was going on.

He said that India and Pakistan had realised that dialogue was the only alternative to resolve problems between the two countries.