Srinagar, 18 August (H.S.): Peoples Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Tuesday dismissed reports that he had boycotted Independence Day celebrations, describing them as pure gibberish.

Lone clarified that he was not present in Kupwara on the day of the parade and asserted that there was no question of him boycotting the event.

Nothing of that sort happened. I was not in Kupwara on that particular day. That is it, he said.

Reacting to the reports, Lone maintained that the narrative being circulated about his alleged boycott was baseless and sought to put the matter to rest by making his position unequivocally clear.

Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, hoisted the national flag in Kupwara to mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations.

Among those present on the occasion were MLA Lolab, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone; MLA Trehgam, Mir Saifullah; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Suse; SSP Kupwara, Al-Tahir Gilani; Deputy GOC, 28 Division, Shakhtavat; Commanding Officer, 41 Rashtriya Rifles, Anup am Thapa; besides senior officers from the civil and police administration and former Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar