Curfew lifted in Jammu; schools, colleges to reopen

New Delhi: In a welcome move, the Jammu district administration on Friday withdrew prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 imposed here on August 5 given the Centre abrogating constitutional provisions that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official order.

According to the order issued by Jammu District Magistrate Sushma Chauhan, all schools, colleges and academic institutions may resume their functioning normally from August 10.

After being confined to their homes for days, people in Kashmir offered Friday prayers in their local mosques as restrictions were eased for the purpose, an official said, adding the Valley was largely peaceful barring minor incidents of stone-pelting in the apple-town of Sopore in north Kashmir.

With no untoward incident, the situation, as of now, was reported to be fine in the Srinagar city and south Kashmir, officials said but added that reports from all areas are yet to arrive.

Pakistan on Friday announced that it will suspend the Thar Express train service with India which links the two countries across the Rajasthan border, a day after it stopped the Samjhauta Express following its decision to downgrade bilateral tie.

Meanwhile, India on Friday reiterated that its move to scrap Article 370 is an internal matter and advised Pakistan to not create an alarming environment after the move.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said Pakistan's move in the wake of the government's Article 370 move is regrettable, making it clear that the action by Pakistan is unilateral.

"Our sense is whatever is being done by Pakistan is to present an alarming tone in bilateral relations, that something big is going to happen, but that is not the case," he added.

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address from Thursday, Kumar pointed out the benefits of the move. He said, "We have highlighted the benefits of abrogating Article 370. It will lead to good governance, healthcare, livelihood and prospects of all the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Kumar went on to say that Pakistan's move shows signs of nervousness, as they feel that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will now nullify its stand on the long-standing Kashmir issue. "They will not be able to support terrorism, they will not be able to influence people," he added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused India of creating a "war-like" situation similar to the post-Pulwama terror attack to divert the world's attention from the Kashmir issue.

The bill to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories— Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh— was approved by President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday.