Hours before the United Nations Security Council has called for a "closed-door consultation” on India’s withdrawal of the special status of the 'disputed' territory of Kashmir on Friday, the Centre has announced a slew of measures to further ease restrictions in the Union Territory in a gradual and calibrated manner. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said that 12 of the 22 districts in Jammu and Kashmir were functioning normally with some limited restrictions in five districts. "After today’s Friday prayers, there would be an easing of restriction in the next a few days," Subrahmanyam said.
He assured that movement of public transport will be made operational and schools will be opened after weekend in a phased manner. Telecom connectivity, which has been snapped since 12 days, will be gradually eased and restored in phases. Movement restrictions are being removed area by area with communication services being improved in a phased manner. Government offices are functional from Friday, Subrahmanyam said.
There has been no shortage of medical supply, while relaxations were given on the day of Eid, he said.
He added that law and order, electricity, power supply and waste management are being maintained. However, preventive measures were being taken to avoid breach of law and order. Subrahmanyam further said that preventive detentions of political leaders in the Union Territory was being continuously reviewed. Prominent political leaders, including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and J&K Peoples Movement party leader Shah Faesal are still under arrest.
Justifying the restrictions, the chief secretary said that the government required to put in place certain preventing steps to keep a check on cross-border terrorism. "The measures put in place has ensured that there has not been a single loss of life... there were credible inputs that such (terrorist) organisations were planning to undertake strikes in J&K in the immediate future," he claimed.
The official called for people's participation to regain normalcy in the Union Territory and assured that life will become completely normal as restrictions are eased in the next few days.
(With inputs from Tariq Ahmed)
