SRINAGAR: The national highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country remained closed since yesterday, affecting pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine and other passengers, including tourists.
However, vehicles stopped at Qazigund yesterday, were allowed to move towards Jammu late in the night. The vehicles reached their destinations early this morning safely.
The highway was closed yesterday after massive demonstrations at different places on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Ramban district, where people protested against beating up of Namazees and an Imam allegedly by security forces previous night at Gool.
However, security forces denied the allegations. Six people were killed and several were wounded when Border Security Forces personnel opened fire on protesters at Ramban yesterday.
A traffic police official said here that traffic remained suspended on this highway as a precautionary measure today.
However, vehicles which were stopped at different places on this side of the Jawhar tunnel, were cleared late last night.
He said Jammu bound vehicles from this side are again being stopped at Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir as authorities do not want to take any chance. However, Amarnath pilgrims were also advised to stay in base camps at Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps.
No vehicle is allowed beyond Qaigund from this side and Udhampur on Jammu side, he said. He said traffic will be allowed from both sides when the situation improves and a green signal is received from administration.
The government has already ordered shifting of Deputy Commissioner, Ramban Shyam Vinod Meena, who has been asked to report to General Administration Department (GAD).
Mohammad Hussain Malik ,KAS, Director Estates has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Ramban with immediate effect.
Pingback: In Tense Kashmir Authorities Close Highway, Halt Amarnath Pilgrimage – freepresskashmir | ThaneOnline.Com