Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today said security forces cannot even think of lowering guard under any circumstances till such time as sustained calm prevails on the north western frontiers in the state.

"Till such time as sustained calm prevails on the north western frontiers our security forces cannot even think of lowering their guard under any circumstances," Vohra said in his address, after hoisting the tricolour at Maulana Azad Stadium here on the occasion of the 64th Republic Day.

Growth and development can take place only in an environment of sustained peace and normalcy, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir has not been able to timely pursue and achieve its developmental goals because of the malicious trans-border factors and serious internal disturbances which our people have had to face for so many years, Vohra said.

He said in the past two years there has been a decline in terrorist violence and observed that if there are no adverse developments along our frontiers in the coming time people can look forward to enjoying the fruits of peace.

The Governor said "thanks to the role played by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the supreme sacrifices made by police and the security forces, the state is moving ahead on the path of peace and development.

"If our people remain committed to thwarting the activities of anti-national elements, the state shall achieve lasting peace and move rapidly on the path of progress and prosperity."

On the occasion, the Governor took the salute and inspected the march past by the security forces.

A colourful cultural programme based on national integration and the glorious composite heritage of the state was presented by thousands of students on this occasion.

Bhartiyam, in which about 2,000 students from various educational institutions participated received a thunderous applause.

Vohra said he was confident that if the administrative system works with promptitude, efficiency and visible accountability, Jammu and Kashmir shall soon emerge as one of leading states in the country.

Vohra appealed all political parties, social, cultural, religious organisations and all other segments of society to engage themselves in a dialogue process as it was the only way for peaceful solution to the problems faced by the state.

Agitations and confrontations have already cost us enormous human and economic losses, besides damaging the educational prospects of youths, he said..

However, despite various constraints, the state has been able to achieve outstanding success in many sectors of growth and development, he added.

The Governor said "Jammu and Kashmir is a big state and many areas in each of its three regions are still to be adequately connected.

"A satisfying pace of economic growth, and all round development, shall become possible only when we have been able to provide satisfactory connectivity across the length and breadth of the state."

If J&K is to emerge as one of the leading tourist locations in the world, it would be of high importance to ensure balanced infrastructure development in all parts of the state, he added.

Three major projects to enhance connectivity — 4-laning of National Highway, construction of Mughal Road and ongoing Railway project to connect J&K with the rest of the country, are already under implementation in the state, he said.

"We are indeed very lucky that, besides the progressively growing allocations under the Annual State Plan, we are also receiving valuable support under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan, Central Road Fund and Prime Minister's Gramin Sadak Yojana", he added.

To quicken the pace of development it is important to ensure that there is no delay in the timely completion of all Central and state projects, he said.

Referring to the education sector, Vohra observed that the functioning of the entire education system was most adversely disrupted during the prolonged period of militancy.

On power scenario, the Governor said the extreme shortage of power, an adverse consequence of the prolonged period of militancy during which no new projects could be taken up, continues to severely constrain the growth and development of the state.

He said that for generating 6,000 mw of power, the state power department intends to take up several projects during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Governor's wife Usha Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chairman Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra and several ministers attended the Republic Day parade.