Independence day celebrations in Kashmir passed off peacefully today even as curfew was imposed in the region following a call by separatists to observe a 'black' day.
Tight security arrangements were put in place across the capital Srinagar and other parts of the Valley to pre-empt any untoward incident.
"Independence day parade celebrations were held peacefully at all district and tehsil headquarters in the Valley", an official said.
Curfew has been imposed in Srinagar, Anantnag, Mattan, Bijbehara and Trehgam towns while restrictions on movement of
people was in force in the rest of the Valley today, a police
official said.
He said the step was taken to prevent protests in Anantnag and north Kashmir following the death of two persons and injuries to six others last evening in action by security forces at Laizbal in Anantnag and Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Police and paramilitary forces were seen patrolling the deserted streets.
Separatists had asked people to observe 'black' day today in the Valley to protest what they call as the "illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and denial of independence to its people by India".
As the separatists had threatened social boycott of those who venture out on the roads today in violation of their black day call, people preferred to remain indoors in the Valley.
Shops and business markets remained closed and transport
was off the roads.
At a tricolour unfurling function, deputy chief minister Minister Tara Chand said the coalition government had paid special attention to infrastructure development in past five years with the assistance of prime minister's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).
He said this year the state has been granted the highest annual plan of Rs 7,200 crores by the Central government.
"This also includes the amount granted under prime minister's package which is to be spent on the construction of bridges, roads, opening of new hospitals, schools and colleges, augmentation of power sector and development of cities and villages of the state by providing them with all basic amenities", he said.
