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Updated: Apr 21, 2019 17:30 IST

Restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway from Srinagar to Baramulla were relaxed on Sunday to allow people to travel to Uri in north Kashmir to take part in Baisakhi mela (fair) while the curbs continued in the southern stretch from Srinagar to Udhampur, officials said.

The Kashmir administration on Friday had directeddeputy commissioners to provide passes to people allowing them to move on National Highway 44 for celebrating Baisakhi at Gurudwara Paranpilla at Uri in Baramulla district.

“Though 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,” said deputy commissioner Baramulla, G.N Itoo.

He said that the restrictions on the highway from northern side will now be only for Sundays as the ban on Wednesdays has been scrapped.

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

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

The twice-a-week highway ban came into effect on April 7 with severe restrictions on civilian traffic between Baramulla and Udhampur to allow free movement to security convoys on election duty. 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.