Train service resumes in Kashmir valley

Srinagar, Jan 14 (UNI) Train service resumed on Sunday after remaining suspended on Saturday for security reasons in the Kashmir valley, where separatists had called for a general strike against the alleged civilians killing in security force action.

"We have resumed all train runs in the Kashmir valley on Sunday," a railway official told UNI.

He said an advisory was received from police to resume all train runs in the Kashmir valley which were suspended on Saturday for security reasons to avoid any damage to rail property and passengers following strike called by separatists.

Therefore, he said, all trains will chug on Badgam-Srinagar to Banihal in Jammu region via Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir on Sunday. This is the fifth time train service was suspended in south Kashmir during the first two weeks of this year.

Similarly, all the trains will run on Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramulla in north as per schedule, he said.

"On Saturday, particularly in the afternoon, train witness heavy rush when people are going to their homes from their place of work," he said adding similar rush was being witnessed on Monday, particularly in the morning when people resume their activities after Sunday holiday.

However, he said, "we cannot help as we are acting as per the advice by the police."

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.