AGENCIES /SRINAGAR
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has directed that normal functioning of the Civil Secretariat Srinagar and government offices should be resumed from today.
He directed that arrangements should be made to facilitate movement of government employees to work. After the Friday prayers (namaaz), based on the developments during the day, relaxations could be considered subsequently. These directions were given by the Governor after reviewing the conduct of Independence Day celebrations and security scenario with the Advisors and Chief Secretary here at the Raj Bhavan Srinagar last evening.
Governor was informed that Independence Day celebrations were conducted across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with joy, fervour and enthusiasm. There were no untoward incidents anywhere. Strong security arrangements were in place which thwarted any attempts to disturb the celebrations. Governor thanked the people for being cooperative during the period of restrictions and assured them that these would be reduced gradually.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam has said that 12 out of 22 districts are functioning normally with some limited restrictions in five districts of the state. He said, the restrictions put in place has ensured that there is no loss of life since the August 5, when the special status to J&K was abrogated and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories.
Briefing media in Srinagar today, Mr. Subrahmanyam said, schools and other educational institutions will be opened in Kashmir Valley area by area from Monday next and public transport will be made operational gradually. He said the government offices are functional from today and telecom connectivity will be gradually restored in a phased manner.
The Chief Secretary said there are credible inputs that terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen are planning attacks in the state. He said that cross-border terrorism required government to put in place certain preventing steps. He said the government’s focus is on the earliest return to normalcy while ensuring that terrorist forces are given no opportunity to wreak havoc as in the past.
The Chief secretary said that it is the priority of the Government to ensure that no civilian casualty takes place. He said that a few preventive detentions of individuals were also made in accordance with provisions of law to maintain law & order. Chief Secretary said preventive detentions are being reviewed & appropriate decisions will be made based on law and order situation.