Jammu Returning To Normalcy As Phone Services, Internet Partially Restored; 144 Lifted

Prime Minister Modi on Friday addressed the nation on the issue of Kashmir and promised all round development, early and transparent elections and an end to terrorism in the Valley.

PM Modi promised all round development, early and transparent elections and an end to terrorism in the Valley. (Image: Getty)

New Delhi: Days after imposition of Section 144 and blocking of communication channels in the wake of Narendra Modi-led Central government's announcement of revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of state into two Union Territories (UTs), situation seems like coming back to normal in the Valley. After being confined to their homes for days, people in Kashmir offered Friday prayers in their local mosques as restrictions were eased for the purpose, officials said, adding the Valley was largely peaceful barring minor incidents of stone pelting in some areas. People, who have been virtually been kept indoors because of heavy security deployment in the wake of removal of special status, were allowed to go to mosques in their localities without being asked any questions by security personnel. With no untoward incident, the situation, as of now, was reported to be fine in the Srinagar city and south Kashmir, the officials said, but added that reports from all areas are yet to arrive. Section 144 Withdrawn:  The Jammu district administration on Friday withdrew prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 imposed here on August 5 in view of the Centre abrogating constitutional provisions that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official order. According to the order issued by Jammu District Magistrate Sushma Chauhan, all schools, colleges and academic institutions may resume their functioning normally from August 10.

PM addresses nation on Article 370:

Prime Minister Modi on Friday addressed the nation on the issue of Kashmir and promised all round development, early and transparent elections and an end to terrorism in the Valley. He also  stoutly defended the scrapping of its special status as a historic step to usher in a 'new era'. ALSO READ | Section 144 Withdrawn From Jammu; Schools, Colleges to Re-Open Tomorrow The decision to ease the restrictions was taken after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval directed authorities to ensure that no Kashmiris is harassed, they said. Doval, who has been camping in Srinagar since Tuesday, spoke to locals and security personnel during a quick tour of the sensitive downtown area here on Friday, an official said. The NSA, accompanied by his aides and senior police officers, visited the Eidgah locality and stopped at various places to interact with locals. He later spoke to police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and thanked them for their wonderful work in maintaining law and order. Security forces have been put on high alert across the Kashmir Valley preempting possible protests against the scraping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and dividing it into two union territories, another set of officials said. The clampdown in Kashmir was imposed on Monday, hours before the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status and split it into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Pakistan Nervous About India's Steps In Jammu And Kashmir, Time For It To Accept Reality Of Kashmir: MEA Security forces have been deployed in massive numbers across the Valley, particularly in Srinagar city and major towns, and barricades have been erected every 100 metres and only people allowed to pass are those with medical emergencies. All telephone and Internet connections have been snapped in the Valley and only three news channels, including the state-run Doordarshan, can be accessed through cable TV networks.

Locals Stock Up Essentials:

Locals had stocked up essentials like food grains, fuel and medicines in the run-up to the Monday's announcement by the Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha about revoking provisions of Article 370. During easing of restrictions in some parts of the city, especially in the civil line areas on Thursday, the movement of the people remained thin, while a few shops mostly selling vegetables and medicines opened.