Train service suspended again as precautionary measure in Kashmir

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/21/2018 10:57:57 AM Regional News

Srinagar, May 21: Train service was again suspended on Monday as a precautionary measure in the Kashmir valley, where separatists had called for a general strike and “Eidgah Chalo” on the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.

Train runs were resumed only yesterday after remaining suspended for security reasons in the valley, where separatists had called for 'Lal Chowk chalo' on Saturday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to inaugurate several developmental projects.

'We had to suspend all train runs in the Kashmir valley as a fresh advisory was received from police,' a senior railway official told TNN.

The Joint Resistance Leadership, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik has called for a general strike in the valley and 'Eidgah Chalo' to pay tributes to Mirwaiz Farooq and Lone.

Mirwaiz Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat Conference(HC) chairman Mirwaiz Omar was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on May 21, 1990 in his Nigeen house. Later more than 60 people were killed when security forces allegedly opened fire on funeral procession of Mirwaiz Farooq near Islamia College.

Later, on this day in 2002, gunmen also murdered another separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone founder of Peoples Conference (PC) when he was leaving Eidgah after paying tributes to Mirwaiz. Abdul Gani Lone is father of Sajjad Gani Lone, minister in the coalition government from BJP quota and Bilal Gani Lone senior HC leader.

He said no train will run on Srinagar-Bagdam-Baramulla in north Kashmir track today. Similarly, no train will chug on Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region, he said.

The official said Railway department is acting on the directive of police. Since the security and safety of passengers, railway officials and rail property was involved are suspending train service in the valley.

This was the tenth time train service was suspended in the Kashmir valley during the month of May so far security reasons and damage to tracks. Last month train service remained suspended partially or fully for 8 times in the valley, where last year train could not run for over 50 times for security reasons.


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