Peaceful Republic Day in Valley amid tightened security

SRINAGAR: Kashmir Valley witnessed a spontaneous shutdown on Sunday amid massive security build-up for Republic Day celebrations and the day passed peacefully without any major violent incident. J&K Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu addressed R-Day gathering in winter capital Jammu while his adviser Farooq Khan addressed the official function at S K Cricket Stadium in summer capital Srinagar.

Observing a strike, locals in Kashmir preferred to stay indoors. The armed forces too sealed all roads leading to the venue of RDay function in Srinagar. Concertina wires and barricades were spread on all major inter-sections to stop any movement of pedestrians or vehicles.

The administration also snapped all mobile phone networks for 10 hours – from 6 am to 4 pm – on Sunday, which also suspended 2G internet service, resumed partially on January 25. In the afternoon, clashes were reported from some areas of downtown Srinagar which were controlled by the police and paramilitary forces.


This was the first Republic Day function in the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the locals observed a strike without any call from Hurriyat leadership, who would otherwise issue protest statements on January 26 or August 15.

The administration has arrested all influential political leaders including members of Hurriyat on or before August 5, when special status of the J&K was revoked and the state was split into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh. Addressing the official function in Jammu, Murmu said 2019 had brought a major change for the people of J&K and united the region with the rest of country in its true sense.

“Abrogation of temporary provisions removed all financial and legal obstacles between J&K and other parts of the country,” he added. The LG said militancy remains a concern for the administration, however, it has shown a declining trend recently. In Srinagar, Khan hoisted the national flag and addressed a gathering of officials, NCC cadets and some students, who also performed during the function. He mentioned various development schemes that the central government launched for J&K.