JK PANORAMA VOL 3 ISSUE 1 JANUARY

developmental and welfare initiatives of her
Government, Mehbooba Mufti sought support
from people in this regard. “If peace prevails,
developmental and welfare measures can take
off, tourists can come, investment can happen
and also new political initiatives can
materialize”, she said in her message.
Dy CM unfurls national flag at Udhampur
Photo Info
opinion in Jammu & Kashmir would join the
dialogue process initiated in the State.
In her message to the people on the occasion of
the 69th Republic Day, the Chief Minister said
dialogue is the only way by which the culture
of violence in the State could be ended. She
said she has been pleading for initiation of
dialogue in the State and expressed happiness
that Centre, agreeing to her suggestion,
appointed Mr. Dineshwar Sharma as the
interlocutor for the State. She, however,
maintained that the appointment of Mr. Sharma
as the interlocutor is a major development to
ensure durable peace in the State rather than a
temporary measure to calm down tempers as
happened in the past.
Expressing concern on the obtaining situation
along borders which has led to huge loss of life
and property, the Chief Minister hoped Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi, using his stature and
wisdom, would pace up his efforts in this
regard so that the State becomes a bridge of
peace between the two countries, ending the
bitter phase of acrimony between them.
Noting with satisfaction that fascination for
violence is declining among youth, Mehbooba
Mufti said parents, friends and even social
media are playing their role in dissuading them
from slipping into a path where death and
destruction are the only end results. She said
though all over the world the ill effects of
violence are fairly pronounced now, the people
of Jammu & Kashmir have been the immediate
witnesses and victims of violence.
Terming peace imperative for executing
While greeting the mammoth gathering, the Dy
CM said that the Constitution of independent
India came into existence on this day in the
year 1950 which provides equal fundamental
rights to every citizen of the country
irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion.
While extending Republic Day felicitations to
the people of Udhampur, Dr Singh said “After
prolonged struggle for freedom, India declared
to be Republic on this day to conserve the
unique feature of unity in diversity. Thus, this
day symbolizes unity in diversity of our great
Nation,” he asserted.
The Dy CM also commemorated the sacrifices
of freedom fighters including Sardar Bhagat
Singh, Raj Guru, Chander Shekhar, Madan Lal
Dingra, Ashfaq-Ullah- Khan etc who laid
down their lives for the nation. He said it is the
duty of every citizen especially the youth to
make Jammu and Kashmir proud by
maintaining peace and upholding the unity in
diversity. He said Jammu and Kashmir is a
microcosm of India's unity in diversity and
known for its glorious traditions of amity and
tolerance.
Thousands of security personnel were
deployed in Srinagar and other district
headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure
a peaceful Republic Day amid a strike called
by separatists. All programmes in the valley,
including the main event in Srinagar, passed
off peacefully.
"The Republic Day functions at all district
headquarters passed off peacefully," a senior
police officer said.
In the wake of a strike called by separatist
groups, there was a complete clampdown in
Kashmir. The separatists asked people observe
January 26 as "Black Day", prompting security
forces to enforce curfew-like restrictions to
prevent any protests.
Mobile phone and internet services were
10
January 2018