Omar becomes 1st elected CM in 8 years to hoist tri-color on I-Day in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 15: Breaking an eight-year hiatus, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday became the first elected head of government since 2017 to unfurl the national flag and preside over the Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.
The last chief minister to lead the event was PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in 2017. Following the collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition in June 2018, the state came under Governor’s rule, later transitioning into two Union Territories in August 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370. From 2018 to 2024, the Independence Day and Republic Day ceremonies were led by Governors and subsequently Lieutenant Governors.
Abdullah, elected after last year’s Assembly polls, inspected the parade after receiving a guard of honour. Contingents from the J&K Police, Central Armed Paramilitary Forces, and school children participated, while his cabinet colleagues led celebrations in Jammu and other districts.
In a sombre gesture, the Chief Minister cancelled the traditional cultural programme to honour victims of Thursday’s flash floods in Kishtwar. (Agencies)
