Restrictions in Kashmir to be ease out in phased manner:J&K Chief Secretary

New Delhi, Aug 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Friday said that the restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 , before the revocation of article 370, will be eased out in a phased manner.
Addressing a press conference at Srinagar, Mr Subrahmanyam said that the schools will reopen from next Monday while the landline phones would be restored by the weekend.
Telecom connectivity, a major point of concern, will gradually be restored in a phased manner keeping in mind the constant threat posed by terrorist organisations in using mobile connectivity to organise terror actions, he said.
Speaking on land line connectivity in the state he said that there would be gradual restoration from Friday night and Saturday morning onwards. “You will find a lot of Srinagar functioning tomorrow morning. BSNL takes a couple of hours to get back to action. Exchange by exchange they will be switching it on. Over the weekend, you will have most of these lines functional.” Mr Subrahmanyam said.
Explaining about the security situation in the state the J&K Chief Secretary said that out of 22 district in Jammu and Kashmir, situation in 12 districts is normal while there was limited night-time restrictions only in five districts.
“After today’s Friday prayers, immediate reports suggest that things have gone off quite peacefully right throughout the state,” he said. “We have prevented any loss of human life despite concerted efforts by terrorist organisations, radical groups and continuing efforts by Pakistan to destabilise the situation,” he said.
“The measures put in place have ensured that there had been not a single loss of life or serious injuries to anyone during the course of maintaining peace and order. We have prevented any loss of human life despite concerted efforts by the terrorist organizations, radical groups and continuing efforts by Pakistan to destabilize the situation” he added.
The J&K Chief Secretary also said that the steps were taken to ensure that there was no shortage of essential supplies, medical facilities and hospitals continued to function normally whereas electricity, water supply and sanitation services were maintained.
“The pilgrims going on Haj and returning from Haj were specifically facilitated and people associated with all these support services have free movement” he said.