Srinagar: The historic Lal Chowk of Kashmir, which used to be a security scare every Republic Day since start of terrorism 33 years back, today resonated with national anthem and slogans.
Marking a huge development, the Indian National Tricolor was hoisted atop the iconic Clock Tower there in Srinagar by some local activists in the presence of hundreds of people.
The tricolor was hoisted on top of the Clock Tower, popularly known in Kashmir as ‘Ghanta Ghar, by activist Sajid Yousuf Shah with the help of a hydraulic crane elevator.
On the occasion, a band played the national anthem and nationalist tunes while the people in the gathering raised nationalist slogans.
The Ghanta Ghar has had an iconic importance in Kashmir ever since it was installed there in 1979.
After eruption of terrorism in Kashmir, the then BJP National President Murli Manohar Joshi came in 1992 to hoist the National Flag at the same place on the Republic Day.
Even though the security was intense, terrorists had fired some rockets towards the venue, prompting the forces to whisk Joshi away to safety.
Today, young Kashmir martial art players also participated in the function.
In another major development, a programme to hoist the National Flag was also held in Srinagar’s old city area of Chhatabal.
It was organised by an NGO and several people participated in it.
The National Flag was also hoisted in several other parts of Srinagar.
These programmes were apart from the the official event where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the National Tricolor and took salute at a parade.
