Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu hoisted the national flag at the Republic Day parade here on Sunday.

In his address at the Republic Parade in Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor said, " Last year was the year of a major change for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The abrogation of temporary provisions has driven away the financial and legal obstacles between J & K and other parts of the country."

"It has united J & K to the country in its true sense," he said.

Murmu further said, "Militancy remains our biggest concern as innocent youth are indoctrinated to take the misguided path."

"However, the militancy has come down here," he added.

Amid tight security, Republic day was celebrated on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir first time after the abrogation of Article 370 and after the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories on August 5.

The main Republic Day function took place at the winter capital in Jammu where Lt Governor G.C. Murmu hoisted the national flag.

In Kashmir, the main function took place at the Sheri Kashmir Cricket stadium in Srinagar where the advisor to Lt Governor, Farooq Khan, hoisted the national flag.

Khan addressed a few hundred people in the stadium and touched upon the various developmental schemes launched in the union territory.

Cultural items were later presented by the students.

Republic day functions are also being held all the district headquarters across Jammu and Kashmir.

With intelligence inputs suggesting possible militant attacks there has been additional deployment of police and para military forces across the Valley.

In Srinagar, the shops remained closed and the police were seen stopping the vehicles and thoroughly checking them.

In view of the security situation, the government has ordered the suspension of mobile data services in Kashmir Sunday till 6 p.m. on Sunday. The voice calling and the SMS has also been suspended till 6 p.m.