Restrictions in Kashmir to be eased gradually: Official

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

Measures are being taken to ease restrictions in a gradual manner in disputed Jammu and Kashmir, said a top government official in the region.

“Keeping in view the evolving situation, as well as the cooperation of the people in maintaining calm and peace, we are now taking measures to ease the restrictions in a gradual manner,” Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam said during a press conference on Friday.

“Schools will be opened after the weekend [...] As restrictions on the movement of people are removed area-by-area, public transport will start moving in these areas too,” Subrahmanyam said.

He said telecom connectivity will be gradually restored in a phased manner, without giving further details.

“Preventive detentions are being continuously reviewed and appropriate decisions will be based on law and order assessment,” he added.

Saying that there were “credible inputs that terrorist organizations were planning to undertake strikes in the state in the immediate future”, the top government official said: “The steps consequently taken included restrictions on free movement, prevention of large gathering, restrictions on telecom connectivity and closure of schools and colleges.”

He claimed that the government has prevented any loss of human life “despite concerted efforts by the terrorist organizations, radical groups and continuing efforts by Pakistan to destabilize the situation”.

At present, Kashmir is under a complete information blockade as authorities have suspended all modes of communication in the valley.

The Indian government had launched massive crackdown in the valley as the government scrapped special status of Jammu and Kashmir on Aug. 5.

Official sources said over 1,000 people -- mostly political leaders and activists -- have been arrested across the region.