Train services suspended again in Kashmir for security reasons

Srinagar, Jan 13 : Train services were suspended on Saturday for security reasons in the Kashmir valley, where separatists have called for a general strike against the alleged civilians killings in security force action.

We have suspended all train runs in the Kashmir valley today, a railway official told UNI this morning.

He said an advisory was received from police to suspend all trains in the Kashmir valley for security reasons to avoid any damage to rail property and passengers following strike called by separatists.

Therefore, he said, no train will chug on Badgam-Srinagar to Banihal in Jammu region via Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir on Saturday, he said.
Train service was resumed in south Kashmir only on Friday after remaining suspended for two days. This is the 5th time train service has been suspended in south Kashmir during the first two weeks of this year.

Similarly, all trains remained suspended on Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramulla in north, he said.
Railway had suffered huge damage to property, including stations and trains during demonstrations in the valley in the past.

Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers, who had arrived at different stations in the valley despite chilly weather conditions, were very disappointed after they were informed about the cancellation of all train in the valley today. We are helpless as we cannot help passengers because the decision to suspend train service was being taken by the police or Railway police, he said.

We have hired more than 500 police personnel who are being paid 50 per cent salary by the railways, he said.

Railway official admitted that on Saturday, particularly in the evening, large number of people travel in the trains from their place of work to their homes to spend Sunday with families only to return on Monday to resume work.

Train service has become very popular in the valley, where people prefer to travel in train which is being considered cheap, fast and safe against other mode of transport.

Last year the train service was suspended partially or fully for 50 times in the valley.