Civilian administrator presides over Kashmir's 66th Republic Day function

SRINAGAR: Republic Day celebrations today passed off peacefully across Kashmir where a civilian administrator presided over the Valley's main function for the first time in nearly 20 years due to Governor's Rule in the state.

"The Republic Day celebrations have concluded across Kashmir peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the Valley," a senior police officer said.

He said adequate security arrangements were put in place to thwart any nefarious designs of the militants to disrupt the celebrations.

Heightened security arrangements were put in place across the Valley in view of intelligence alert that militants might try to stage an attack in view of US President Barack Obama's presence as Chief Guest at the Republic Day function in New Delhi.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Rohit Kansal took salute at the march past at Bakshi Stadium here, the main venue for the function in the valley.

It is for the first time since 1996 that a civilian administrator, and not a minister of the state government, presided over the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium.

There is no elected government in the state at present following a hung verdict in the recent assembly elections.

Governor's Rule was imposed in the state on January 8, a day after caretaker Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked Governor N N Vohra to relieve him of the responsibilities and no party or combination of parties staked claim to form the government.

Elsewhere in the Valley, Deputy Commissioners of respective districts presided over the Republic Day functions.

Besides the March Past by contingents of police, Armed Police, CRPF, BSF and school children, cultural programmes and folk songs were performed at the functions at several places in the Valley.