Magistrate issues passes by stamping on hands
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 10: A modest 35 vehicles convoy of Border Security Force (BSF) today plied from Srinagar to Jammu on National Highway (NH-44) disrupting life in Kashmir and parts of Jammu as authorities blocked the surface link to Kashmir from Srinagar to Udhampur.
The Government last week issued an order for bi-weekly restrictions (Wednesday and Sunday) from dawn to dusk on the movement of civilians for the smooth passage of security force convoys and today was second day of such restrictions. Last week on Sunday, a modest 45 vehicle down and 120 vehicle up convoy plied on the NH-44.
Today, there was tight security with all the intersections barricaded by the troops deployed in full strength on the NH-44 from Srinagar to Udhampur for smooth movement of the security force convoys. The troops didn’t allow any civilian movement on the Highway except few vehicles with special passes that were issued by Magistrates on duty on the NH-44.
However, there was no restriction on the movement of civilian on the National Highway in North Kashmir today as the area is going to vote tomorrow. District Commissioner Baramulla, G N Itoo today issued an order saying that there will not restrictions in North Kashmir on the movement of civilians on the NH-44 due to elections. He also said that there will be no security convoy movement in North Kashmir ahead of voting.
This morning at around 8 a.m. a modest 35 vehicle convoy of BSF left from Srinagar for Jammu under tight security and they were given a free passage from Srinagar to Udhampur as civilian vehicles were not allowed on the highway.
In the evening at around 3 p.m., a convoy of 125 para-military troops with majority of them being from CRPF and 50 from Army crossed the Jawahar Tunnel towards Srinagar. A large convoy of CRPF reached at around 5 p.m. to Indoor Stadium in Srinagar and for that authorities stopped traffic for around half an hour outside Bones and Joints Hospital Srinagar, thus blocking the entry of the patients to the hospital.
They also plied on the flyover from opposite direction creating problems for the commuters who were travelling towards Chanpora and Hyderpora areas. This also led to huge traffic jams in the city.
Security forces were not allowing traffic on the highway in Srinagar and South Kashmir and only few vehicles carrying people with emergencies were allowed. Even journalists were debarred from travelling on the highway.
The troops last night barricaded all the intersections of the NH-44 with concertina wire and troops were also deployed in strength to implement the order for restricting the civilian movement. Around 80 magistrates from Srinagar to Udhampur were assigned the job of facilitating movement of people with emergencies.
In South Kashmir, the restrictions were more stringent. The roads leading towards NH-44 were barricaded and no vehicles were allowed to proceed towards the highway. People who are living near NH-44 were allowed to proceed to their homes after proper checking.
And in bizarre incident Naib Tehsildar Khiram, Ghulam Mohidin who was posted as Magistrate at Tulkhan Crossing on NH-44 in district Anantnag was issuing highway passes by putting stamp and signature on the hands of the travelers.
As these passes went viral on social media, the Additional District Magistrate, Anantnag asked the Executive Magistrate to explain as to why he issued passes to the travelers by putting stamps on their hands. “…this is against the rules and unbecoming of a Magistrate”, the explanation order said.
He has been asked to explain his position by tomorrow on the issue. “…you are directed to explain your position as to why action under law may not be taken against you. The reply, therefore be furnished within one day, falling which it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in your defence”, read the explanation.
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