No restrictions on civilian traffic on NH after Sunday

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/22/2019 11:37:40 AM Front Page

Guv lifts curbs in toto, thanks public for cooperation

JAMMU: After great inconvenience to lakhs of commuters for eleven days spanned over one-and-a-half-month, the death of an elderly man, widespread condemnation in the Valley, and three reviews bringing partial relaxations, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday announced to lift the restrictions imposed on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar, from Sunday, the May 27th, which would be the 12th and final day.
In order to secure the passage of convoys of security forces, the government on April 3 had banned the civilian traffic on NH-44, between Baramulla and Udhampur, every Sunday and Wednesday, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack when a JeM terrorist had rammed his explosives-laden car into a CRPF convoy killing 40 jawans, followed by a failed attack on another convoy at Banihal on March 30.
The restrictions have attracted strong criticism from regional parties and local residents alike following which the government reviewed the ban and gave relaxation thrice during the period, before withdrawing the order today.
An official statement issued on Tuesday said: Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces' convoys, Governor Satya Pal Malik has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian traffic movement on the national highway connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from May 27.
May 26 will be the last day of restriction on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway.
The state administration had earlier on May 7 reduced the number of days from two to one and allowed civilian traffic on Wednesdays from 13 May.
Before that, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on NH-44 was limited to Sunday only w.e.f. 22 April and later completely lifted w.e.f. from 2 May.
“These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections, even though elaborate arrangements were made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction,” an official spokesman said.
"After a detailed review today with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on the highway from Monday next," the statement said.
“The Governor thanked the people of the state for cooperating with the measures which were necessitated in the larger interest of the state and for welfare of the people,” it said.




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