Curfew, shutdown continue for 13th day in the Valley
Srinagar: Curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.
Police said curfew will continue in most parts of the Valley as precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
“No major clash occurred anywhere in the Valley on Tuesday and the situation remained generally calm,” a senior police officer told in summer capital Srinagar.
After the state government conveyed to the editors of local newspapers through Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, that there was no ban on publication, the editors on Tuesday sought written assurance from the government to resume publication.
The Valley went without any newspaper for the 5th day running Tuesday.
Farooq Ahmad Lone, District Magistrate Srinagar, told there was no ban order by him on newspaper publication.
The editors have said they will meet again in the afternoon to decide future course of action.
Internet connectivity on all mobile phones remained suspended for the ninth day in the Valley on Wednesday.
Calling facility on mobile phones has also remained suspended during this period except for limited calling facility on post-paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
After remaining closed because of the killings of three civilians in army firing during protest in Qazigund area, the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was restored for limited traffic during the night.
Trucks carrying supplies of essential goods and vehicles carrying Amarnath yatris, who had been stranded on the highway, were cleared during the night.
Three civilian protesters, including two women, were killed on Monday in army firing when mob attacked an army patrol party.
The army has regretted the incident and ordered a probe to ascertain whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by the soldiers, so that the responsibility is fixed and the guilty are punished.
Meanwhile, train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended for the 13th day today.
All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.
Marriages scheduled during this period have been cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of families.
Amarnath yatra resumes
Meanwhile the annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Wednesday as another batch of pilgrims was allowed from winter capital Jammu to move to the Valley late on Tuesday evening.
A senior police officer told in Jammu, “A batch of 2,500 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu yesterday (Tuesday) evening for the Valley.”
“The yeatris left in a convoy escorted by the security forces and reached the base camp in the Valley safely.”
Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said so far over 1,85,000 pilgrims have performed this year’s yatra.
“Charri Mubarak (lord Shiva’s mace) reached the Pahalgam base camp yesterday.”
“After the traditional puja at Pahalgam, the Charri Mubarak will move through Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach finally to cave shrine.”
The 48-day-long yatra started on July 2 and will end on August 17, coinciding with Shravan Purnima at Raksha Bandhan Festival.
Twelve yatris have died of natural causes during this year’s yatra.
IANS