Peace holds in J-K,but no flag at Lal Chowk

Amid unprecedented security and inputs about possible militants strike in Srinagar,the function passed off peacefully across the Valley....

Amid unprecedented security and inputs about possible militants strike in Srinagar,the function passed off peacefully across the Valley. But in the city centre,the tricolour was not unfurled first time in 20 years. A virtual iron curtain in the form of drop gates,mesh wires and barricades was placed around the Bakshi Stadium,where Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather unfurled the national flag. The two-decade-old tradition of hoisting the national flag by the security forces atop the clock tower in Lal Chowk was done away with. However,the state said some vested interests were attempting to create an unnecessary controversy over not hoisting of national flag at Lal Chowk and said it was never a state function.

Reacting to media reports,a state government spokesman said the hoisting of national flag at Lal Chowk was never a state function. The local commandants of the paramilitary forces posted around Lal chowk have been hoisting the flag at Lal chowk and this time CRPF decided not to do it which was also their internal decision, the spokesperson said,adding that the state8217;s official function in Srinagar has always been held at Bakshi Stadium.

The Valley,meanwhile,observed complete shutdown on the strike call given by the separatist leaders.

In Jammu,Pakistani troops exchanged sweets with Indian soldiers in two sectors along the Line of Control on Republic Day even as there were ceasefire violations by Pakistan border guards along the frontier in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Army personnel led by a Colonel-rank officer presented boxes of sweets to Indian Army officers at forward defence locations and crossing-points at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Tatapani in Poonch and Mendhar sectors along the LoC. They greeted us and exchanged sweets with our troops on R-day at the two different FDLs in Poonch district this morning, said a senior army officer.

It was a scene of bonhomie as the border personnel of India and China met to mark the Republic Day in Chushul belt along the LAC in Ladakh,putting behind the tension over recent incursions by the PLA in the area. Both sides agreed on different measures to maintain peace,stability and to work for development of the region. The Chinese delegation was received by the leader of Indian delegation,Brigadier Y K Joshi. After the reception,the Indian national flag was hoisted and both the Chinese and Indian delegations saluted the tricolour.

Haryana

Hooda unveils health schemes,pledges his eyes

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda pledged to donate his eyes while unveiling Nehru Drishti Yojna and Indira Bal Swasthya Yojna schemes at the Republic Day function at Jhajjar. Hailing the Chief Minister8217;s decision,former Haryana Assembly Speaker Raghbir Singh Kadiyan said his gesture would inspire others to donate their eyes. The Indira Bal Swasthya Yojana will be implemented in four phases and will cover more than 40 lakh children,the Chief Minister said.

Madhya Pradesh

Governor in Bhopal,Chouhan unfurls flag at Rewa

While at the Lal Parade ground in Bhopal Governor Rameshwara Thakur unfurled the national flag and took the salute at an impressive march past,Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hoisted the national flag at Rewa. Later,Chouhan launched Aao Banae Apna Madhya Pradesh,a programme under which peoples support would be enlisted for development,from Amarkantak.

Gujarat

New development projects,Modi seeks Swarajya

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Development projects worth Rs 477 crore were launched on the occasion of the Republic Day and celebrations were held amid tight security. Governor Kamala hoisted the tricolour and both the Governor and Chief Minister Narendra Modi took the salute of the marching contingents. Talking to mediapersons,Modi said while Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahatma Gandhi had fought for making India independent,now everyone should contribute to bring Swarajya in the country.

Meghalaya

Thousands defy bandh call to join celebrations

Defying a bandh called by an insurgent outfit,thousands joined the celebrations amid a tight security blanket thrown across the state. Unfurling the tricolour in the state capital,Governor R S Mooshahary said the state remained peaceful without any law and order threatening situation. While many people turned out for the Republic Day function,shops and business establishment remained closed in the Khasi-Jaintia region in response to the 24-hour bandh call given by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council.

Manipur

Heavy security as insurgent group calls for boycott

Heavy security was deployed as Manipur celebrated the Republic Day amid a boycott call by an insurgent group. The main function was organised at Kangla,the ancient palace of Manipur,where Governor Gurbachan Jagat inspected the guard of honour and took salute from contingents of home guards,police,and central para military forces. There was a heavy deployment of security forces in view of the Republic Day celebration boycott call given by Manipur Peoples Liberation Front.

Nagaland

Governor lauds Naga peace process

Unfurling the tricolour at civil secretariat ground,Governor Nikhil Kumar lauded the role of Naga civil societies,elected representatives and law enforcing agencies for the comparative peace in the state and expressed happiness that there were sincere and concerted efforts by all concerned to find an honourable solution to the long-standing Naga political problem. The Governor described as welcome development towards Naga peace process the Assembly decision to form a joint parliamentary committee to build a consensual view and signing of Covenant of Re-conciliation by various underground groups to sink their differences.

Assam

Patnaik urges militant groups to come for talks

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Governor J B Patnaik appealed to insurgent groups to give up violence and come to the negotiation table for settlement of their problems. 8220;The militant groups should come to the conference table if they truly love Assam and want it to prosper,8221; he said unfurling the tricolour at the official function at Latasil ground. 8220;Our efforts to combat insurgency have borne fruit. Concerted efforts are on to bring the ULFA,NDFB and others to the negotiation table,8221; Patnaik,who began his speech in Assamese and then continued in English,said. He did not make any mention of the recent arrest of ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa. The state was put on high alert following a boycott call by five underground outfits.

Arunachal Pradesh

Governor brings up unused ALGs,says to be upgraded

The Defence Ministry has started the process of taking over possession of eight Advanced Landing Grounds ALGs lying unused for long in Arunachal Pradesh for their upgradation,Governor J J Singh said. While the environment clearance for the Greenfield airport at Itanagar was awaited,the upgradation of Tezu airport for ATR aircraft operation has been sanctioned by the North Eastern Council,Singh said addressing the Republic Day rally.