Militants killed a police constable on Sunday, the fourth consecutive day to witness rebel attacks in the run-up to Monday’s celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Independence.

Amid the militant assault, the Jammu and Kashmir government has been campaigning for people to join the Har Ghar Tiranga programme and the Independence Day celebrations, with doubtful success so far.

The police said constable Tahir Khan, a resident of Poonch in Jammu, was attacked in the early hours in Qaimoh area of Kulgam. He was shifted to a hospital in Anantnag where he died of his wounds.

The fresh militant campaign, which seems linked to the Independence Day celebrations, began on Thursday with rebels killing four soldiers and injuring two in an attack on an army camp in Rajouri. Both militants involved were killed.

A migrant labourer died and a police constable was injured in two separate attacks in the Valley on Friday.

A CRPF officer was injured in a grenade attack on Saturday in Srinagar.

The Valley is also witnessing an intensive government campaign to make Har Ghar Tiranga a success. Thousands of government employees and students from government schools have been herded to Independence Day events but local voluntary participation so far seems minimal.

A vast majority of residents in Srinagar and many other places have avoided hoisting the Tricolour at their homes despite a high-pitched campaign seeking local participation.

The government has, however, released multiple videos showing some people hoisting flags at their homes at a few places. Thousands of fags have been hoisted over government buildings, electricity poles and security bunkers, a never-before spectacle that highlights the chasm between local and government sentiments.

Private schools have stayed away from the Tiranga campaign, prompting the government education department to write to them seeking participation of staff, students and parents at Monday’s Independence Day events at these schools.

In a letter to parents, Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson, the prominent missionary school, has referred to an order by the chief education officer, Srinagar, directing it to hoist the national flag.

“All staff and students are to be present for the same,” the letter says, and parents “are also invited to participate.”

The government on Saturday suspended the executive officer of the Magam municipal council for allegedly insulting the national flag.

“Pending enquiry into the matter, Shri Syed Aijaz Manzoor, Executive Officer, MC Magam, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect,” the order reads, directing the Magam tehsildar to hold an enquiry.

The order came after pictures showed national flags dumped in a waste collection vehicle of the municipality.

An official in the area said the flags were being ferried to be hoisted atop electric poles, and no insult was intended.