J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

R-Day celebrations peaceful in J&K
Jammu/Srinagar, January 27
It was incident free and largely attended Republic Day celebrations throughout the state yesterday. Not a single incident of terrorist violence was reported from anywhere as colourful celebrations went on even in the remote areas.

18 policemen get President’s medal
Srinagar, January 27
As many as 18 police personnel from Jammu and Kashmir have been awarded police medals for distinguished, gallantry and meritorious service on the Republic Day this year.

Teenager awarded President’s medal for bravery
Srinagar, January 27
Aami Mairaj, a teenaged boy from the city, was yesterday awarded the President’s medal for bravery at Republic Day function held in Bakshi Stadium here.

National Flag displayed upside down
Jammu, January 27
The National Flag was displayed upside down and without Ashok Chakra during the full dress rehearsal in Udhampur on the eve of the Republic Day, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir government to order an inquiry into the incident yesterday.

28 employees suspended for being absent
Srinagar, January 27
The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended 28 employees of different departments allegedly for remaining absent unauthorisedly, an official spokesman said here yesterday.

Pak woman released
Srinagar, January 27
A Pakistani woman was among five persons released by the Jammu and Kashmir government on Republic Day yesterday, an official spokesman today said.

R-Day celebrations peaceful in J&K
Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, January 27
It was incident free and largely attended Republic Day celebrations throughout the state yesterday. Not a single incident of terrorist violence was reported from anywhere as colourful celebrations went on even in the remote areas.

The day was celebrated also in the Kashmir valley where a large number of school children participated in the main function in Srinagar.

It was perhaps for the first time in the past 10 years that the Maulana Azad Stadium here, where the main state-level function was held, was jam-packed. The Governor, Lt Gen S.K. Sinha (retd), took the salute here, while the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Baig, unfurled the tri-colour at the Srinagar function.

Reports said the day was celebrated with enthusiasm at all district headquarters, including Leh, Kargil, Poonch, Doda and Anantnag. Para-military forces and police were deployed in strength at all places to thwart any attempt of terrorists to create violence.

In an oblique reference to the Pakistan’s proposal of “self-rule”, General Sinha, in his speech, rejected the idea and said Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed greater autonomy than any other state in the country. Both politically and economically, the state was better than any other state. He expressed sympathy for the people of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) who suffered extensive damage and large number of casualties due to the recent earthquake. He expressed concern over the denial of democratic rights to the people of PoK.

General Sinha took salute at an impressive parade by contingents of the Army, BSF, CRPF, JKAP, NCC ex-servicemen and others.

Besides others, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his ministerial colleagues, top Army and civil officers and prominent citizens participated in the function.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig has expressed hope that the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan would succeed despite hiccups. Addressing the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium here yesterday, Mr Baig said the people in both countries had realised that peace only could bring prosperity to the region and an overwhelming public opinion was pushing India and Pakistan towards lasting peace.

An incident free Republic Day was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Kashmir valley amid tight security arrangements. The separatist militant and political organisations had called for a general strike to observe it as a “black day”.

The main function amid tightest ever arrangements was held at the stadium here where Mr Baig unfurled the national flag and took salute of the parade. Among those present on the occasion were the opposition National Conference president and Member Parliament, Mr Omar Abdullah, and Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation, councilors and others senior officials. The day was celebrated in Ladakh division, where the main function was held at Leh. The Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh, Mr Tsering Dorjai, after hoisting the national flag took salute at a march past.

The state government ordered release of four detainees of Central Jail Srinagar on the eve of Republic Day. They included three locals and a Pakistani national, Kanwar Jan, wife of Mohammed Abdullah, who was handed over to police station Uri for processing her case of repatriation.

The Deputy Chief Minister presented the President’s medal for bravery to Master Aamir Mairaj, a teenage boy from Natipora, Srinagar, who saved a child from electrocution in Pahalgam last year.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in the valley in response to a general strike call given by several separatist and militant organisations, including both factions of the Hurriyat Conference. The call evoked complete response as total shutdown was reported from the entire valley.

The summer capital and other district headquarters wore a deserted look with no civilian movement seen. A curfew-like situation prevailed in the entire valley.

18 policemen get President’s medal

Srinagar, January 27
As many as 18 police personnel from Jammu and Kashmir have been awarded police medals for distinguished, gallantry and meritorious service on the Republic Day this year.

Mr M.A. Anjum, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Armed), Jammu, won the President’s police medal for distinguished service.

The police medals for meritorious services were awarded to Mr Z.H. Chisti, DIG, Home Guard, and CD, Mr Ranbir Singh Manhas, DSP, Reasi (Arnas), Mr Amanat Ali Shah, DSP, Vigilance Organisation, Mr Puran Chand Kilam, DSP, J&K CID, Delhi Cell, Mr Hardip Singh Gill, Inspector, SHO/PS GRP Jammu, Mr Ghulam Hassan Kozgar, Inspector, CID, Mr Kuldeep Krishan Raina, Sub-Inspector, (now Inspector) PA to DGP J&K.

The other awardees are Mr Umesh Nag, Sub-Inspector, Mr Vinay Parihar, Sub-Inspector, Mr Ghulam Mohammad, Constable, Mr Javed Iqbal, DSP, Mr Uttam Chand, ASP, Gowhar Ahmad Wani (posthumously), constable, Mohammad Altaf (posthumously), selection grade constable.

The police medals for gallantry were awarded to Mr Lal Hussain, selection grade constable, Mr Noor Hussain, constable and Mr Kulwant Singh Jasrotia, (Bar to PMG) DSP.

In all, 600 personnel from across the country were awarded the President’s police medals this year. — UNI

Teenager awarded President’s medal for bravery

Srinagar, January 27
Aami Mairaj, a teenaged boy from the city, was yesterday awarded the President’s medal for bravery at Republic Day function held in Bakshi Stadium here.

Mairaj, belonging to the Natipora locality of Srinagar, was presented the medal by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig at the Republic Day parade.

He was awarded the bravery medal for saving a child from electrocution at the Pahalgam tourist resort last year. — PTI

National Flag displayed upside down

Jammu, January 27
The National Flag was displayed upside down and without Ashok Chakra during the full dress rehearsal in Udhampur on the eve of the Republic Day, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir government to order an inquiry into the incident yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner Ashok Parmar, while ordering an inquiry, termed the incident as unfortunate officials sources told PTI.

“An inquiry has been ordered into the incident and those responsible for this would be punished,” they said.

The flag was removed from the rehearsal immediately after some one pointed out the mistake, the sources said. — PTI

28 employees suspended for being absent

Srinagar, January 27
The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended 28 employees of different departments allegedly for remaining absent unauthorisedly, an official spokesman said here yesterday.

The employees from Sericulture department, Programme office integrated child Development Scheme, Irrigation Department and District Industries Centre were found absent from duty during a visit by the Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Anantnag District, yesterday, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has ordered withholding the pay of the absentees and directed the concerned drawing and disbursing officers to chargesheet them and submit the same comments, the spokesman added. — PTI

Pak woman released

Srinagar, January 27
A Pakistani woman was among five persons released by the Jammu and Kashmir government on Republic Day yesterday, an official spokesman today said.

Pakistani national Kanwar Jan, wife of Mohammad Abdullah, who had crossed here unintentionally was handed over to the police station, Uri, he said, adding that she would be handed over to Pakistan army after processing her case of repatriation. — UNI