Situation normal; schools, colleges to re-open
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 9: Situation limped back to normalcy in five districts of Jammu region including Jammu district, where prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 have been withdrawn and all educational institutions ordered to be opened from tomorrow while restrictions were relaxed but continued in five other districts including Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch.
All educational institutions re-opened in Kathua district yesterday and Samba district today, they will resume functioning in Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu districts from tomorrow. All kind of restrictions in these five districts have been withdrawn, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma told the Excelsior.
He said situation remained peaceful in entire Jammu region today with no report of any kind of “significant incidents” from any part.
A decision on lifting of restrictions and re-opening of educational institutions in five sensitive districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch will be taken after Eid celebrations, the sources said, adding restrictions were relaxed for two to three hours in these districts during the day to help people buy essential commodities.
The relaxation period passed off peacefully barring couple of incidents of stone pelting including one at Mendhar, sources said and added that situation was defused immediately with timely intervention of security personnel.
An official Gypsy was damaged in pelting of stones and soda waters by few youths. Police later detained three youths for pelting in Mendhar.
A Jammu University spokesman said the University will remain open on August 10. However, schedule of admissions, class work and examinations will be notified separately. Teaching will also remain suspended, he added.
An order issued by Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sushma Chauhan said Section 144 CrPC imposed on August 5 has been withdrawn from Jammu within Municipal limits of Jammu district.
“All schools, colleges and academic institutions may resume their functioning from August 10 normally,” she said.
Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Indu Chib has also issued order for resumption of schools and colleges from tomorrow. In Udhampur also, educational institutions and markets will re-open tomorrow. Traffic will ply normally.
Educational institutions were re-opened in Kathua district yesterday while they resumed functioning in Samba district today.
The situation in Kathua and Samba districts was largely normal and the educational institutions there have reopened.
Reports said restrictions were relaxed for one hour in a phased manner in different parts of the Kishtwar town for the first time since imposition on Monday.
“Friday prayers passed off peacefully across Kishtwar district. The restrictions were first relaxed in areas falling under Kudleed, Wasar, Sangrambhata and Girinagar from 4 pm to 5 pm and then relaxed in Pachhal-A, Pochal-B, Hatta, Sarkoot and Bhagwan Mohalla areas from 6 pm to 7 pm,” sources said.
The situation remained peaceful, they said, adding the restrictions will be relaxed in other parts of the town and its adjacent areas tomorrow.
Sources said the restrictions were also relaxed in Bhaderwah town and its adjoining areas in Doda district in a phased manner.
While the restrictions were relaxed in Takia Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Masjid Mohalla, Qilla Mohalla, Pasri, Green Colony, Chakka and Chinote for two hours from 4 pm to 6 pm, they were relaxed for one hour from 6 pm to 7 pm in Seri Bazar, Ganpat Market, Jai Road, Chobia Link Road, Gatha and Udrana.
The relaxation period passed off without any untoward incident, sources said, adding some shops and business establishments opened after five days and people in large numbers thronged the markets to buy essentials.
The situation in Ramban, Poonch and Rajouri districts was also normal and people offered Friday prayers in a peaceful manner amid heavy deployment of forces to maintain peace, the officials said.
Traffic on National Highways remained confined to private vehicles only while public transport was off. Sources said commercial vehicles might be allowed to move on Jammu-Pathankot Highway from tomorrow.
However, mobile internet services remained snapped in entire Jammu region for fifth consecutive day today. In Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, telephone calling services have also been affected.
Authorities were monitoring situation in the sensitive districts regularly but it was described as peaceful with no “significant incidents” reported from any part. Rapid Action Force (RAF) and para-military forces have been deployed in strength in vulnerable areas of the region to keep strict surveillance on the situation.
While administration said that they were trying to maintain supply of essential commodities in the sensitive districts where restrictions continued for fifth day with relaxation of couple of hours, reports, however, said that vegetables and milk supplies could be affected due to continued restrictions and absence of movement of commercial vehicles.
Sources said Friday prayers at almost all the places passed off peacefully in parts of Jammu region. However, few people turned up for the prayers in Mosques in the sensitive districts while number was normal in other areas.
Meanwhile, authorities today denied that there was any move with the Government to cut down number of districts in the State.
BJP leader Dr Nirmal Singh said the party was in favour of giving more districts including Pahari district in Kathua besides more districts in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch and Udhampur etc.
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