The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to make all endeavours to restore normalcy in Kashmir as soon as possible. The court said, according to PTI, that the restoration will be on selective basis keeping in mind national interests.
The Centre told SC that not a single bullet has been fired, and that there were some localised restrictions in place.
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A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S.A. Bobde and S.A. Nazeer said as the so-called shutdown is in the Valley itself, it can be dealt by the Jammu and Kasmir High Court. Reacting to allegations that people were finding it difficult to approach the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the apex court sought reports from the chief justice. "It is very serious if people are unable to approach the HC; I will myself visit Srinagar," CJI Ranjan Gogoi observed.
The bench was told by the Centre that all Kashmir-based newspapers were running and the government had been offering all kinds of assistance.
The Centre also said that TV channels like Doordarshan and others private ones along with FM networks are working in the state.
The bench asked Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, to put details of these steps taken on an affidavit.
The court also allowed senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but said he cannot hold any political rally.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister can visit four districts—Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla, Anantnag—to meet people.
The bench, also comprising justices S.A. Bobde and S. Abdul Nazeer, was told by senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, who was appearing for Azad, that he wants to meet the people and inquire about their welfare.
Singhvi said Azad had tried to visit the state thrice, but was turned back from the airport.
Azad, who has filed the petition in his personal capacity, had said on Sunday that it was "apolitical".
In his plea, Azad has also sought a nod from the top court to visit his family members and relatives.
In his petition before the top court, Azad has also sought permission to check on social conditions after a clampdown was imposed by the authorities following the scrapping of the state's special status.
-Inputs from PTI
