SRINAGAR : All trains that run in the Kashmir valley have been suspended for security reasons today, when separatists had called for a general strike against the visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here.
“There will be no train running on Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramulla in north route,” a railway official said.
He said therefore train service will also remain suspended on Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region for security reasons.
Train service have been suspended following advisory from state administration and police, he said.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation demanding right to self determination, have called for a general strike today against the visit of Mr Singh, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
However, chairmen of both the factions of the HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq had been put under house arrest while JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik has been arrested and lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar.
Train service was being suspended on the advice of police to prevent any damage to railway property and safety of passengers.
Rail service was also suspended on September 8 when separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers to express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims.
However, trains chug on all routes yesterday though the service was affected for about two hours on Srinagar-Banihal track after some problem in engine of one of the trains.
Train service has become most popular mode of transport which is being considered safe, cheap and fast in the valley, where traffic jam has become a daily routine and cost of hiding other mode of transport, including cab because of no fixed rate.
Railways has suffered heavy losses after the train service remained suspended for about six months in the valley during summer unrest. Last month also the trains remained suspended for a number of days for security reasons, particularly in south Kashmir.
(AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
