J&K peaceful, restrictions further lifted from Valley

Barricades removed in Lal Chowk, middle schools open today

SRINAGAR/ JAMMU: Life slowly returned to normal across Jammu and Kashmir with the authorities further easing restrictions on Tuesday, even as normal functioning of large parts of the State was reported today with 12 out of 22 districts functioning normally.
Restrictions were relaxed in 136 police station areas, out of total 197, in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Kashmir Valley, restrictions were eased in 50 out of 111 police station areas, state government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said, addressing an evening presser here, adding these areas have no day time restrictions, while curbs would remain in place for night.

54.54%
Normal functioning in 12 out of 22 districts
69.03%
No day restrictions in 136 of 197 PS areas
78.49%
73,000 out of 93,000 landlines functioning

Barricades around the Clock Tower in Srinagar's city centre Lal Chowk were removed after 15 days, allowing the movement of people and traffic in the commercial hub, as restrictions eased in several localities while continuing in others.
Commenting on the situation of Kashmir valley, he said attendance and schools and government offices increased across Jammu and Kashmir.
The middle level schools would start functioning from tomorrow in the areas where primary schools resumed functioning from yesterday, he said.
“Public transport has started plying in areas where relaxations have been provided and inter-district transport has also started functioning,” he said, adding that National Highway and Airports are functioning normally.
More landline phones were made operational on Tuesday. Over 73,000, out of total about 99,000, landlines phones were functional across Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Mobile services and internet remained suspended for the 16th consecutive day, while landline telephone services in many areas also remained affected.
There was increased traffic flow in some parts of the Civil Lines areas of the city but curbs on movement persisted in Downtown Srinagar and in many parts of the Kashmir Valley, officials said.
Though restrictions were lifted in several places, the deployment of security forces continued to ensure law and order, they said.
A lot of private cars were seen plying in Dalgate, Boulevard, Sonwar, M A Road, Rajbagh and adjoining areas. Some inter-district cabs also plied in the morning, they said.
Vehicles plied between districts in the valley as well. Markets in the Valley were shut.
The officials said the situation has remained largely peaceful since the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories on August 5.
There were clashes between groups of youth and security forces in several parts of the Valley but authorities said the situation remained peaceful with few injuries reported.
Restrictions in many areas of Kashmir are being eased gradually since Saturday -- first for six hours in 35 police stations across the Valley and then for eight hours in 50 police station areas.
On Monday, the authorities made all necessary arrangements for the reopening of primary schools in the Valley, including 190 in the city. However, there were no students in most schools, particularly private educational institutions.
The civil secretariat - the seat of the Jammu and Kashmir government here - witnessed about 98 per cent attendance on Monday, while attendance in other government offices is improving, the officials said.
On the position of stock & supply in Kashmir valley, the government spokesperson said there was adequate stock of essential commodities.
“There was adequate supply of essentials and 13,287 LPG cylinders were distributed among consumers during the few days,” he informed.
Meanwhile, in Jammu, the Police has appealed to the people to inform the police control room (PCR) regarding any person spreading rumours or malicious content.
The police requested the citizens to share information regarding such people by contacting PCR Jammu telephone number 0191-2542001, 2542000, 2560401, 2544581 and help line numbers 2560244 and 100.
The citizens may otherwise contact the nearby police station or police post where the personnel have been instructed to act promptly without any delay against such elements, they said.
A case has been registered in the Akhnoor Police station and the rumour monger has been arrested, they said.
Similarly, a case has been registered at Rajouri against two persons spreading malicious message on Facebook.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on Monday for allegedly spreading rumours that created panic among people here, a senior police officer had said.
Low-speed Internet services in Jammu region, which were made operational on Saturday, were snapped again on Sunday after it was found that rumours were being circulated.