All set for Independence Day in J&K

Tribune News Service
Jammu/ Srinagar, August 13

Ahead of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations, a full dress rehearsal was held with mock drills, parades and flag hoisting in Jammu as well as Srinagar on Tuesday.

At Jammu, Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma unfurled the Tricolour, inspected the parade and took salute of the march past from the participating contingents, NCC cadets and school children at Mini Stadium, Parade.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rashpal Singh said, “Despite heavy rain this morning, the full dress rehearsal programme concluded with full enthusiasm. This year, the administration is planning to celebrate August 15 in a grand manner.”

“Ten girls and boys schools (government-private) are participating in the event, apart from NCC cadets, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Forest Protection Force and female contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police,” the ADC said.

“We have made special arrangements for the celebrations, as over 3,000 cards have already been distributed among people. We are also inviting schools by providing them transport facility,” he stated.

“We have had several meetings with different agencies to make this event a grand success and have assured people of full-proof security,” the official added.

A scintillating cultural bonanza, featuring patriotic and cultural presentations, besides those with a message against social evils, was presented by the children drawn from various government and private schools of the city and its periphery.

The event witnessed large participation of school children, civil society members, contingents of belt force personnel and senior civil and police functionaries.

IGP Mukesh Singh, Deputy Commissioner Sushma Chouhan, ADC Rashpal Singh, SSP Tejinder Singh, besides other senior officers of civil and police administration, were also present on the occasion.

Similar events were held in various districts of Jammu province and no untoward incident reported from any part.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar, the full dress rehearsal was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, where Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmad Khan unfurled the Tricolour. He also inspected the parade and took the salute of the march past presented by the contingents of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, JKAP, IRP, women police, executive police, SDRF and emergency services. Besides, the contingents of Forest Protection Force and J&K Police band also took part in the march past.

Department of academy of art culture and languages, police, CRPF and BSF presented colourful cultural events in Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Ladakhi and Punjabi languages on the occasion.

DGP Dilbagh Singh, ADGP Muneer Khan, SJM Gillani, DIG Central, Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal, SSPs, joint director, Information, and other officers were also present on the occasion.

The rehearsals were also held at other district headquarters across the Valley, including Budgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian and Kupwara.