Sigh of relief

Much to the ease and delight of people of Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities have finally decided to lift all curbs and restrictions on highway on the movement of civilian traffic. State Governor Satya Pal Malik has been working in this direction from the past few weeks as he was not reportedly happy with the restrictions on the civilian traffic.

The curbs on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway resulted in lot of anger and protests in Kashmir Valley and it also resulted in price hike of essential commodities in Kashmir Valley in the holy month of Ramadan. People of Kashmir are happy that the restrictions have been lifted and they now wait for the administration to bring the markets under control and try to check the price rise which has resulted due to the curbs on the highway.

Following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces’ convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar with effect from Monday.  These restrictions had become necessary following the movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama attack. The forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for smooth conduct of general elections. In order to facilitate safe and secure movement of Security Forces’ Convoys, the Government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on NH-44 from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week, i.e. on Sunday & Wednesday, from 4.00 a.m to 5.00 p.m. Elaborate arrangements were, however, made by the local administration to facilitate movement of public during the period of restriction.

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.