Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged people of the state to cast their votes in large numbers in forthcoming assembly elections for the sake of lasting peace in the state. Addressing the state level Independence Day function at Bakshi stadium in Srinagar on Friday, he criticized separatist groups for repeatedly resorted to boycott campaigns in the valley.He said people are aware that this boycott call proves futile and only adds to the difficulty of the people in the valley. Earlier he unfurled the national flag and took salute to colourful parade. AIR correspondent reports that despite a strike call by separatists on Independence Day several functions were held at all the district headquarters peacefully.