Rescind Highway restrictions

Not only does the decision appear to be impromptu but off the cuff , unplanned and glibly feasible to keep two days exclusively fixed in a week for the movement of the convoys of the security forces on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway. In other words, no civilian traffic will be allowed on these two fixed days, Sunday and Wednesday of the week which in itself is fraught with sprouting of more problems about which, while taking the decision and announcing the same, a thought has probably not been given thereto. While Governor’s administration has, so far made comparatively a satisfactory imprint in the areas of performance and in taking much needed decisions, all in public interest, but the one under reference, appears to have been taken either in haste or due to reasons beyond comprehension but overall, it appears to be irrational and nothing short of being risible.
Agreed, the decision is not on a permanent basis but has to last till May 31 only as a precautionary measure, keeping in view the Parliamentary elections and expectedly, the likelihood of movement of security forces in large numbers, as also to thwart and pre-empt any attack on the forces’ vehicles from the militants, the state administration has taken this decision. So far so good; but each decision taken in any set up and under any circumstances, has to be weighed against the risk, cost and fallout factors associated with the implementation thereof. Has the state administration done that exercise sincerely? Has the adverse impact on the movement of goods and items of daily use, their trading and availability in the markets and the prices thereof been duly reckoned in perspective? Providing adequate security and safety to the convoys through means and measures other than the proposed one, is the exclusive domain of the administration but not like fixing two days’ movement exclusively for the security forces’ convoys at the cost of the civilian interests. That sounds totally unacceptable. This decision lacks clarity, viability, precision, adaptability and general acceptability although some relaxations in extreme emergency on the pattern of curfew restrictions are mooted through “necessary procedures” adopted by the administration and the police but it is well known how much cumbersome, time consuming and bothering this “relaxation” would actually be felt.
In Jammu and Kashmir State, where looming terror threats and acts of violence at the behest of Pakistan, convoy movement within and to and from the Valley needs to be toned up. Security, vigil and safety measures, cannot by any standards, converge upon closing the National Highway itself for the movement of civil traffic which is nothing but amounting to virtually punishing the general common people for no fault of theirs. Pulwama terror attack and a vain bid to repeat the same in Banihal last week should not rattle the administration to take such uncalled for and unwarranted decisions. A via media like movement by air (as already announced) and by special trains too could be thought of . While we urge the state administration to forthwith rescind this decision, leaders of some opposition parties should talk cautiously on the sensitive matter and not issue statements which could incite avoidable feelings and thus aggravate the problem.

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