JK Governor Asks People To Prepare For Eid Without Fear, Says Restrictions Will Be Lifted Soon

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said the situation in the state will get back to normal soon even as he urged the people to prepare for Eid celebrations without any fear.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik. Photo: Getty Images

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said the situation in the state will get back to normal soon even as he urged the people to prepare for Eid celebrations without any fear. Malik said the administration has made all the arrangements, including the availability of animals and poultry, for the festival while ensuring that maximum facilities are provided to the people on Eid. The Governor said he visited two hospitals in Srinagar on Friday where he met patients and their relatives. "Doctors are available in hospitals around the clock and treatment is going on. We have pressed additional buses for the hospital staff and made treatment and medicine free of cost. We have also provided cash for patients and their relatives," Malik told ABP News, adding that the administration has also arranged for foods in langars for those who are stuck here due to restrictions. "For Eid, we have arranged 2.5 lakh animals and 30 lakh poultry so that people don't fall short of anything during the festival. We have ration supply of up to two months in stock and everything else in abundance including petrol, kerosene, landline and LPG," the Governor said while urging the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha peacefully and also to pray for peace and prosperity for their state. In essential services, we have the power supply, water and sanitation -- all in order, Malik said. "There are about 1,600 employees in service round the clock to take care of essential needs. Overall, about 10,000 people have been deployed across the region," he said. "ATMs are operating normally across Srinagar and salaried of daily wagers have also been released in advance yesterday." When asked about restrictions on movement and communication services, the Governor said: "These steps have been taken to prevent any disturbances else we don't want people to be confined to their homes." The restrictions will be lifted as soon as the situation improves, he said, adding that people will be able to shop from markets on Sunday. "I have also directed Deputy Commissioners to make available telephone helplines at their district headquarters for people who wish to speak to their children outside the state. Yesterday, 500 people availed the services to speak to their family members and relatives," he added. There is restriction in the Valley on information flow -- telecommunication facilities like data, voice and land line. In a veiled attack on the leaders of the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, he said: "People of Jammu and Kashmir have been deceived by their irresponsible leaders. These politicians even said that whoever would touch this (Article 370) will be destroyed. People were never told that this (scrapping of Article 370) will be in their favour." Malik also warned Pakistan against any aggression saying if the neighbouring country attempts any misadventure, it will find Indian forces, which are more competent, deep inside their territory. Sending a strong message to militants in the Valley, Malik said: "We have revoked Article 370 for them. We will eliminate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir to pave the way for the development of the state." He also slammed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for his "Kashmiri girls" remark, saying it was in bad taste. "I have heard his statement. It was in bad taste. He should apologize to the people of Kashmir, especially daughters of Kashmir. We won't tolerate any such statement," he said. On Friday, the administration in Jammu and Kashmir had eased prohibitory orders to allow Friday prayers in local mosques and for people to make arrangements for Monday's Eid celebrations. The administration has lifted prohibitory orders from Jammu region, and directed schools to reopen from Saturday. Jammu and Kashmir has been under complete lockdown for the past six days, a day before the Centre revoked Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to the state.