PoK residents witness I-Day celebrations

Srinagar, Aug 15 (PTI) For the first time a group of
residents from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were among 4000
people who witnessed the Independence Day celebrations
Saturday in north Kashmir.

Tafazal Budoo along with nine natives from PoK, who had
recently travelled in Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to
meet their relatives here, were given welcome at the function
held at Mini stadium in the border town of Uri, 100 kms from
here in Baramulla district.

Budoo said it was due to operation of the cross-LoC
bus service from April 7, 2005 that he could witness the
Independence Day function as well as to meet his relatives
after six decades.

Sub-divisional magistrate Uri Manzoor Ahmad Qadiri
unfurled the tricolour which was followed by a march-past by
contingents of local police and paramilitary forces.

Senior officers of army, police and paramilitary forces
besides locals attended the function. A cultural programme was
also presented on the occasion. PTI