india

Updated: Apr 22, 2019 12:23 IST

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Sunday relaxed the restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway from Srinagar to Baramulla to allow Sikh pilgrims to travel to Uri to participate in Baisakhi mela (fair) at a gurdwara.

However, travel curbs on the stretch from Srinagar to Udhampur continued, officials said.

The administration had on Friday directed deputy commissioners to provide passes to Sikh pilgrims travelling on the National Highway 44 to participate in the mela at gurdwara Paranpilla at Uri in Baramulla district.

“Though magistrates and other official imposing restrictions on the highway were there, there was a relaxation due to Baisakhi. A big mela is held at Uri and the pilgrims were issued passes to travel,” said Baramulla deputy commissioner GN Itoo.

He said that travel restrictions on the highway from Srinagar to Baramulla had been relaxed and there would be no ban on civilian traffic on Wednesdays.

However people in south Kashmir travelling from capital Srinagar to Anantnag and beyond towards Udhampur were not allowed an unhindered movement. “The security forces are asking for passes before allowing civilian vehicles on the highway,” said a resident of Pulwama.

The passes are given to people exempted from the ban, like patients, students, VIPs, lawyers, tourists and political leaders for campaigning. Special passes were provided to Sikh pilgrims on Sunday.

The twice-a-week restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway to allow free movement to security convoys on election duty came into effect on April 7.

The decision came more than a month-and-a-half after a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 CRPF troopers.

On Saturday, the administration rolled back the restrictions partially, from two days to one on the 100-km stretch from north Kashmir’s Baramulla to capital Srinagar.

Even on the days of restrictions — Sunday and Wednesday — between Srinagar and Udhampur and on Sunday between Baramulla and Srinagar, the local administration would continue to facilitate the movement of civilian traffic as has been happening in the last two weeks, the government said in a statement.

“Complete review of restrictions on the highway would be done after the last phase of elections on May 6 to examine the need for continuing with them,” the statement said, but added, “The restrictions will be reviewed on a real-time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days.”

Baramulla and Srinagar in the Kashmir valley voted on April 11 and 18.

On the recommendation of the police, the Election Commission has reduced the duration of polling in Anantnag in south Kashmir, which will begin at 7 am and conclude at 4 pm. Voting in Anantnag will take place on April 23 and 29 and May 6.