At Shopian, Minister of State for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative & Fisheries, Zahoor Ahmad Mir unfurled the national flag and took salute on the march past comprising contingents of CRPF, various wings of J&K Police, Fire & Emergency Services and students from various institutions at Police Lines Shopian.Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that Independence Day is a moment to remember the freedom fighters who gave supreme sacrifices to free the country. He said this occasion is a day to make commitment to serve our motherland and contribute our part for the development and progress of the nation.Reiterating commitment for equitable development, the Minister said that Government has initiated various welfare initiatives with the aim to change the socio-economic condition of the district.
He said that opening of Mughal Road was the historical decision which serves as an alternative connectivity between Poonch, Rajouri and Shopian. Later, the function concluded with distribution of prizes and mementoes by the chief guest among the parade contingents and students who secured the first, second and third in their performance.MLA Shopian, Advocate Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, MLA Wachi, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Senior Superintendent of Police Shopian besides prominent citizens, school children and large number of gathering were also present on the occasion.Similar functions were also organized at sub-divisional and tehsil headquarters of the district where the concerned SDMs and Tehsildars unfurled the tricolour and took salute at the march past.