Internet unbarred, trains re-roll, Amarnath yatra resumes
Shutdown in Tral, Shopian, Trehgam
Srinagar, July 10: A day after clampdown on the first death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, normalcy returned to Kashmir valley as services that were suspended to abort possible protests resumed on Sunday.
Barring Tral, the hometown of Wani, Shopian town in south Kashmir and Trehgam in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, rest of the Valley including the summer capital of Srinagar and all district headquarters witnessed hustle and bustle.
Shops and business establishments opened despite the day being Sunday while private and public transport services also resumed.
A complete shutdown was observed in Tral and Shopian as a mark of respect for Wani.
However, there was no deployment of troops or paramilitary forces and the situation remained peaceful elsewhere.
Trehgam witnessed shutdown for the third consecutive day against the Friday’s alleged highhandedness of government forces who, locals said, had broken window panes of Jamia Masjid Trehgam during clashes with locals.
Around 12 persons had sustained injuries during clashes after police fired pellets and tear gas shells and two of the injured are undergoing treatment at Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.
On Saturday, Kashmir valley was put under complete lockdown in view of the shutdown call given by the unified Hurriyat leadership and United Jehad Council chief, Syed Salahuddin to mark the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani.
Curfew in few towns and restrictions across Valley were lifted late Saturday.
Meanwhile, Amarnath yatra that was suspended on Saturday due to security reasons and apprehension of violence in Valley was also given a green signal on Sunday.
According to officials, a fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the yatra at Amarnath cave in south Kashmir.
Fresh groups of yatris also left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu base camp for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps.
Similarly, Amarnath yatris, who were stopped at Baltal and Pahalgam base camp after paying obeisance at the cave, also left for Jammu.
Yatra movement on the Srinagar-Jammu highway also resumed after remaining suspended on Saturday for security reasons.
Over 1.26 lakh yatris have paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave since the commencement of the 40-day long yatra from June 29.
The internet services on mobile and the broadband services, which were suspended Thursday, were also unbarred.
While mobile internet services were restored Thursday night, BSNL’s broadband service resumed Sunday morning.
Inter-region train services between Srinagar-Baramulla and Srinagar- Banihal also resumed after remaining suspended for two days.
The train services were also suspended on July 7 in view of apprehensions of violence and protests in the Valley.
“Following direction from police and civil authorities, trains were given a green signal,” a Railway official said.
