Now, India also cancels Samjhauta Express service

New Delhi: The Indian Railways announced on Sunday that it has cancelled the Samjhauta Express train run at its end of the international border, days after Pakistan suspended services on its side.

The railways run the train on Sundays from Delhi to Attari and back, while Pakistan used to run the train between Lahore and Attari. Passengers used to change trains at the Attari station.

Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway confirmed the development.

Pakistan suspended the Samjhauta Express and the Thar Express trains amid tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, Banks, ATMs and quite a few markets were kept open on Sunday while 2.5 lakh sacrificial goats have been made available in the Kashmir valley to help citizens celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with traditional fervour, unaffected by the revocation of J&K special status, said officials.

The authorities have also deployed mobile vans for the door to door delivery of vegetables, LPG cylinders, poultry and eggs, they added.

Treasuries, banks and ATMs have been made functional even on holidays in the run-up to the festival, a government official said on Sunday.

The replenishment of cash in ATMs has been ensured on regular basis and people are drawing money from ATMs as and when required, said officials, adding salaries of all employees and wages of casual labourers too have been released in advance.

Six 'mandis' and markets have been established in Srinagar city while 2.5 lakh sheep have been made available for the public for sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha on Monday.

The district magistrates of all districts in the valley have made elaborate arrangements for the Eid-ul-Azha, the official said.

Ration 'ghats' in every district have started functioning to supply groceries to people.

Out of 3,697 ration 'ghats' in Kashmir division, 3,557 ration 'ghats' have been made operational to provide essentials to the general public.

The government has also stocked sufficient amount of various essential items.

Wheat has been stocked to suffice for 65 days, rice for 55 days, mutton for 17 days, poultry for one month, kerosene for 35 days, LPG for one month, and diesel and petrol for 28 days.

All bakery, poultry and mutton shops were kept open on Sunday and long queues were seen outside these shops, another official said, adding traffic is plying smoothly in Srinagar city.

All health institutions at primary, secondary and tertiary level in Kashmir division are functioning fully with a sufficient number of doctors and para-medical staff on duty. See P7