No Lives Lost, Govt Offices Functional From Today: J&K Chief Secy

Schools would be opened after the weekend area by area, the J&K chief secretary said.

Security personnel stand guard during restrictions in Srinagar on 12 August.

(Photo: S Irfan/PTI)

Amid continuing tensions in the Kashmir Valley, J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam told the media on Friday, 16 August, that there would be an "easing of restrictions in the next few days in an orderly way", as he reiterated that there has been no loss of life or any major injury during the last 12 days in Jammu and Kashmir.

Schools would be opened on an area-by-area basis after the weekend and government offices are functional from Friday, he further pointed out.

“Movement of public transport would be made operational. Government offices are functional from today. Telecom connectivity will be gradually eased and restored in a phased manner,”

J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam

The chief secretary further said that 12 out of 22 districts in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are functioning normally, with some limited restrictions in five districts. "The measures put in place has ensured that there has not been a single loss of life."

‘Preventive Detentions Being Reviewed’

On the issue of preventive detentions, Subrahmanyam said a few of these detentions were made, in accordance with provisions of law to maintain law and order, and are being reviewed.

“Preventive detentions are being reviewed and appropriate decisions will be made based on law and order assessments. The government’s focus is on the earliest return to normalcy while ensuring that terrorist forces are given no opportunity to wreak havoc as in the past.”

J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam

Earlier, on Thursday, 15 August, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson had said that the J&K government secretariat and other offices would start functioning from Friday, while easing of public curbs would depend on the day's development after the 'namaaz'.

Governor Satya Pal Malik had directed the resumption of normal functioning of the government secretariat and other offices after a review of the security scenario in the state on Thursday evening, he added.

The governor had also ordered for making arrangements to facilitate the government employees' movement to work, he said.

The governor had also thanked the people for being cooperative during the period of restrictions and assured them that the same would be reduced gradually, he said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)