Restrictions lifted across Jammu

Schools, colleges to reopen today; in Valley too

JAMMU: Preventive restrictions, imposed as a precautionary measure across Jammu region on the eve of the Supreme Court's judgement on Ayodhya case, were withdrawn on Sunday night, with schools and colleges slated to reopen on Monday, even as the government is not likely to restore mobile internet in Jammu region any time soon.
However, controlled regulation with deployment of forces wherever necessary will remain in force.
While the educational institutions will reopen in Kashmir Valley also, the restrictions imposed there will remain in place there.
Restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC came into force in entire of the newly-created union territory of Jammu and Kashmir around midnight on Friday as a precautionary measure ahead of the apex court's verdict.
The authorities, both in Jammu and Kashmir divisions had also ordered for closure of schools and colleges as well as of wine shops, while banning the bursting of firecrackers. The administration had also beefed up security for venerable places of worship.
On Saturday, however, the situation remained peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir amid tight security arrangements and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere across the union territory, following which the authorities decided to lift the restrictions, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma said in late evening presser held in Jammu.
“After remaining closed on Saturday, all educational institutions including schools and colleges will reopen on Monday,” Verma told reporters here.
He said the examinations in schools falling in winter zone would be conducted as per the schedule along with other exams in the region.
Thanking people for their cooperation during the restrictions, he said the conduct and behaviour of the population is praiseworthy as the situation in the entire division remained peaceful with untoward incident reported from anywhere.
"Given the peaceful situation in the region, the preventive restrictions which were placed were withdrawn completely. Only controlled regulation and deployment of forces will remain in force wherever necessary," he said.
“But it will not have any impact on normal life,” he said.
When asked about the restoration of mobile internet in Jammu, which is suspended since August 5, Verma said that an assessment of the situation is being continuously made and a decision on lifting the internet ban will be taken when the situation becomes conducive.
“This spell of restrictions was any way not connected with the mobile internet ban,” he said.
Verma also said that work on cleaning the debris of a huge landslide in Ramban district was going on in full speed.
“I expect that the national highway will be cleared around 2 pm on Monday,” he said.
Asked about ongoing strike of lawyers in Jammu region against SAC’s move for creation of a new Department of Registration for registration of various deeds, Verma said that the new department only creates an alternative route for registration of documents.
“Nowhere it is said that the advocates are barred from registrations. The establishment of new department only makes it a bit more convenient for the general public,” he said.
The administration had last month created a separate department of registration, a decision which divested the judicial courts of its powers to register various documents leading to an indefinite strike by lawyers in most parts of Jammu region.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan in a brief statement said all schools, colleges and other educational institutions will open across the valley from Monday.