Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday organized “Kashmir Marathon-2023”, Run for Peace event, as part of its Civic Action Programme at the Lake View Environmental Park (Police Golf Course), Boulevard Road in Srinagar .
The marathon route stretched from Lake View Park Golf Course (LVPGC) to Duck Park via the picturesque Nishat-Foreshore road. Prizes worth rupees 652000 were distributed among winners of 13 different events including on spot raffle draw winners. Besides, the Spl. DG CID, J&K R.R Swain was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He along with three former DGPs A K Suri, Gopal Sharma, Kuldeep Khoda and senior officers distributed prizes, certificates among the winners of the event.
Moreover, the former DGPs A K Suri, Gopal Sharma, Kuldeep Khoda, Spl. DG Crime J&K A K Choudhary, ADGP Armed J&K SJM Gillani, IG BSF Kashmir Ajay Yadav, IGPs Nitesh Kumar, B S Tuti, DIsG Sujit Kumar, Shahid Mehraj, Javid Iqbal Matoo and Abdul Qayoom, Mrs Neeru Suri, Vimla Sharma, Dr Indu Khoda, members of Athletic Association & Sports Council J&K and galaxy of officers from District Srinagar, Commandants of Kashmir based Armed/ IRP battalions attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, the Spl. DG CID, J&K R. R. Swain thanked former DGPs A.K Suri, Gopal Sharma, Kuldeep Khoda, their spouses and other dignitaries for gracing the event. He appreciated the overwhelming participation of athletes from across the country in the event which he said has been organised on the birthday of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, an auspicious day in the history of the country. He appreciated the efforts of ADGP Armed/IR J&K SJM Gillani and his team for organising the mega event successfully. Referring to the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi about the Police, the Spl. DG said that ‘success of Police is possible only with the support & cooperation of people’, adding that Police is from the people, for the people and can deliver only with the support of people. He said that it has been the rich history of J&K Police to work against people involved in unlawful activities for the larger interest of the public. He said that J&K Police is committed to continue work for the safety, security & welfare of the people who abide by the rule of the law to the best possible extent.
Speaking to the media on the side-lines of the event, the special DG (CID) said that J&K Police is fighting against the enemy which is using outside support. He said, JK Police is fighting with extra valour against some elements who promote violence adding that challenges before J&K police are quite different than what other forces are facing. “Our fight is against those promoting violence and our fight is for the general public who respects & abides by the law”, Swain said. “Our endeavour is to root out the level of fear from the common man’s heart and mind”, he added.
Besides, A.K Suri (retired DGP) while speaking on the occasion said that he has been in Kashmir after a gap of seven years during which he visited a number of places here and added that the situation is entirely different as peace is quite visible. He said that J&K Police particularly in recent times has been working with strong resolve and commitment for peace and tranquility of Jammu and Kashmir for which he congratulated the force. Addressing the participants, he said playing sports is a great way to improve one’s health and fitness. Sports have a huge impact on a person’s daily life and health, he added.
The ADGP Armed/IR J&K, S.J.M Gillani in his welcome address appreciated & expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries, participants and their families, media persons for their presence & support on the occasion. He said that it is a matter of honour and happiness for Jammu and Kashmir Police as three former DGP who have led this force have attended the event. He said that J&K Police has been organising a number of events at different levels in J&K under its Civic Action Programme. He informed that this year three major Central level events were organised in J&K wherein around 7000 players participated. In today’s event, over 5000 athletes participated as compared to 3500 in last year, he added.
Earlier in the morning, the event was flagged off by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Armed J&K S.J.M Gillani and saw the participation of over 5,000 athletes from across the Country wherein International & National level players also participated. A large number of students, locals, and even wheelchair-bound people participated in the race that featured 13 different categories.
