2 days reserved for security convoys
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: Keeping in view the large movement of security forces on the national highway during the Parliamentary elections and associated possibility of any fidayeen terror attack on security convoys, the State Government has notified specified days in a week for the movement of security forces from Srinagar to Jammu. During these days, no civilian traffic would be allowed on National Highway.
To mitigate the inconvenience to the civilians by this move, the Government has notified 2 dedicated days in a week i.e, (Sunday & Wednesday) exclusively for movement of security forces convoys and there would be a complete ban on civilian traffic on the National Highway during these two days from 4 am to 5 pm. This prohibition would be from Baramulla through Srinagar, Qazigund, Jawahar-Tunnel, Banihal and Ramban till Udhampur.
The Government has, further decided that in the event of any requirement for local traffic movement for any emergency or for other purpose, the local administration and police would evolve necessary procedures for this as is done during curfew days. These restrictions would remain in force till May 31, 2019.
It would be recalled that the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Kashmir post Pulwama terror attack in February, 2019, had announced that no civilian traffic movement would be allowed during the convoy days. Besides, few days ago on 30th March, there was a possible fidayeen attack on another security force convoy at Banihal.
Meanwhile, NC leader Omar Abdullah today termed the decision to close Jammu-Srinagar national highway for civilian traffic a proof of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s failure to manage the internal security of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Another 1st for the Modi government after the 1st ever delayed assembly election now this shocker – never before in 30 years has the national highway ever been closed for civilian traffic like this,” the National Conference vice-president tweeted.
“It’s a glaring admission of failure to manage the internal security of J&K,” he said.
“Patients will not be able to reach hospitals, students will be deprived access to schools, employees won’t be able to reach work and the list goes on & on. There has to be a better, less people unfriendly way of protecting forces using the highway,” Abdullah said in another tweet.
Instead, the security forces should travel in special trains, he suggested.
“I’ve made this suggestion before & in light of today’s highway closure order I feel the need to repeat it – why can’t the forces travel between Banihal & Baramulla by special trains? Quicker, safer & more comfortable for the security forces,” he said.
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone too hit out at the Government.
“In the civilised world, military needs will and always be subservient to civil needs. This certainly will be a first of its kind and will have disastrous social, political and economic consequences. The Govt should not carve a military identity for itself,” Lone wrote on his Twitter handle.
“The order issued by Govt today on vehicular movement is too bad to be true. Can’t believe they actually issued such an order. Makes mockery of liberties and restricts even the right to move,” he added.
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