No Loss of Life in J&K, Landline Services To Be Restored In Most Parts Of Srinagar Tomorrow, Says Chief Secretary

Telecom services, including the internet will also be eased in a systematic manner keeping in mind the terrorists who may try to misuse the communication line, he added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam (PIC/ANI)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam informed on Friday that offices of the Jammu and Kashmir government were functioning normally in the Valley. He said schools will reopen next week, Addressing a press conference, Subrahmanyam said there has been no loss of life or major injury since restrictions were imposed on August 5, when the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories. The chief secretary also said 12 districts in Jammu and Kashmir were functioning normally while there was limited restrictions only in five districts. Subrahmanyam said landline services will be restored in most parts of Srinagar in a phased manner by Saturday morning. Telecom services, including the internet will also be eased in a systematic manner keeping in mind the terrorists who may try to misuse the communication line, he added.

J&K Chief Secy:Steps consequently taken included restrictions on free movement & telecom connectivity prevention of large gathering, closure of schools & colleges. A few preventive detentions of individuals were also made in accordance with provisions of law to maintain law&order https://t.co/6upFM4GGYz

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2019

Subrahmanyam said telecommunication links will be restored gradually. Speaking about the restrictions in the region, the officer said that certain curbs became necessary on August 14 and 15 in view of belligerent statements from "across the border". Subrahmanyam also said that the authorities were reviewing preventive detentions in Kashmir, where a large number of political leaders have been taken into custody since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the break-up of the state into two Union Territories. He asserted that there had been no loss of life during this period unlike earlier times where street protests, stone pelting and security crackdown led to many casualties. (With additional information from Agencies)