Restrictions imposed on Jammu and Kashmir by the government post the abrogation of Article 370 are being slowly eased. Now the government has also lifted the ban on tourists. They will now be able to visit the valley. The ban has been lifted after two months since the government had asked them to leave the valley immediately due to a terror threat.
Governor Satya Pal Malik lifted the restriction on entry of tourists after holding a security review meeting.
The Centre had, on August 2, cancelled the Amarnath Yatra and advised pilgrims and tourists to cut short their stay in the Valley “immediately”. It was done in view of the “intelligence inputs of terror threats”, days before the revocation of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The government has also re-opened higher secondary schools, colleges and universities on Wednesday. Security forces were stationed outside the prestigious Sri Pratap College in Srinagar. They were allowing students on the campus after checking their identity cards.
But mobile and internet services remain largely blocked. The administration are also planning to release three political detainees after making them sign a bond, promising “good behaviour”.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah were allowed to meet party delegation in Srinagar on October 6. The Abdullahs along with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti have been in detention since August.
The administration has also decided to hold Block Development Council elections on October 24, the first electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5. But the Congress has decided to boycott it.
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