Independence Day: J&K under thick security blanket

Adil Akhzer

Srinagar, August 13

Security has been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir ahead to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations across the UT, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the officials, a multi-tier security arrangement has been put in place at the Bakshi Stadium, which is the main venue for the I-Day celebrations in Srinagar.

VK Birdi, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, said on Tuesday that all security measures had been put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of celebrations across the Valley.

“Full dress and security rehearsals were held in all districts of Kashmir Valley today,” Birdi said.

He said multi-tier security arrangements had been put in place and checkpoints had been laid to ensure smooth conduct of the I-Day functions. “Multi-tier security arrangements have also been put in place at Bakshi Stadium here,” IGP Birdi said.

A full-dress rehearsal was held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on Tuesday.

Police contingents, security forces and students from various schools and colleges took part in the full-dress rehearsal across the Kashmir valley today.

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Tuesday also extended an open invitation to people for the I-Day event on August 15.

Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, said: “There would be no restrictions on anyone to witness the I-Day function. On behalf of the government, I extend an open invitation to the general public to attending the main event on August 15.”

Bidhuri hoisted the National Flag and also took salute on the march past during the full-dress rehearsal. He said all arrangements were in place for smooth Independence Day celebrations.

A full-dress rehearsal was today held in Jammu also, officials said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar inspected the full-dress rehearsal and took salute to the march past, an official spokesperson said.

Kumar extended Independence Day greetings and called on everyone to pledge to safeguard the unity, diversity and integrity of the country.

Cultural, traditional dance performances

Jammu: Full-dress rehearsal parade took place ahead of the 78th Independence Day at Polo Ground in Leh town on Tuesday. Leh Deputy Commissioner Santosh Sukhadeve unfurled the national flag and presided over the parade. The rehearsal ceremony consisted of marching contingents from the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Ladakh Police (men/women), IRP 25 Bn, Ladakh police commandos, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps (NCC) boys/ girls, and NCC Kargil (boys).

Ladakh Police’s dog squad also demonstrated a drill as part of the rehearsal. Further, cultural performance was also presented by different schools from both Leh and Kargil. Traditional dance performance by Culture Academy Drass and Leh was also displayed during the rehearsal.

Meanwhile, a full-dress rehearsal also took place at the New Stadium of Khaltse sub-division in Leh district. “The event, akin to similar preparations happening across the nation, witnessed naib tehsildar Mohd Yousuf hoisting the national flag to the tune of the national anthem. The Ladakh police presented the Guard of Honour and the parade was meticulously inspected by the naib tehsildar, who also took the salute during the march past,” a spokesperson said.

The Parade Commander for the event was Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohd Hussain, while the stirring renditions of the national anthem and the band performance were delivered by the students of Government Higher Secondary School, Khaltse.

A total of eight parade contingents participated in the march past, showcasing their discipline and coordination.