KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
As valley observed shutdown on August 15, around “13000 people assembled” in Bakhshi stadium in Srinagar to witness August 15 function.
Ruling coalition partner PDP’s youth face, Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para said that his party did “lot of ground work” to assemble people at the venue.
“It is after much time that such a huge number of people had come to see such a function,” Para said.
Kashmir observed complete shutdown on the call of Hurriyat leaders today. Authorities on the other hand had put severe arrangements in place to handle any eventuality following militant attacks in last month.
It was all “normal” inside Bakhshi stadium with police, paramilitary, BSF personnel and school and college students participating in August 15 function displaying march past and other cultural events.
“Those who attended the August 15 function included civil society, prominent persons and party activists,” Para said. “Our men worked hard to get people to the venue; we had sent invitations as well.”
CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took salute of march past contingents while Dy CM Dr Nirmal Singh was chief guest in Jammu’s main function.
Huge deployment of forces was made and severe restrictions were put in place around Srinagar where the main function was held. Srinagar roads wore deserted look while intense searches of passengers and vehicles were conducted by forces.
Since early Saturday, authorities clamped down on mobile network, however, post Bakhshi stadium function, services were restored and movement of private vehicles started.
