The prisoners have been kept in high security barracks in the Agra central prison (Representational)

Around 30 prisoners from Kashmir in jail over allegations of stone-throwing were flown to Agra in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. The prisoners were shifted in a special aircraft provided by the Indian Air Force, ANI quoted sources as saying.

This was among the steps taken to facilitate trouble-free Eid celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The prisoners have been kept in high security barracks in the Agra central prison, the reports said. Officers said there had been many arrests in the last few days but there was no space in jails. Those who would have caused the most trouble to the jail authorities were identified and shifted.

The Kashmiri prisoners were shifted as the government decided to ease a five-day security lockdown that has been in place since Sunday night in parts of Jammu and Kashmir to avoid any backlash over the decision to end special status to the state and split it into two Union Territories.

On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration asked all government employees to return to work immediately, according to an official spokesperson.

An order said the administration had made arrangements for providing employees a smooth and secure working environment.