Kashmir will open for tourists from Thursday, two months after an advisory was issued asking tourists to leave the Valley due to “terror threat”.
The decision to lift the curbs was announced by the governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday following a “situation-cum-security review” meeting with the advisers and the chief secretary.
The Centre had, on August 2, cancelled the Amarnath Yatra and advised pilgrims and tourists to cut short their stay in the Valley “immediately” in view of the “latest intelligence inputs of terror threats”, days before the revocation of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In another move, the administration re-opened higher secondary schools, colleges and universities on Wednesday.
In Srinagar, security forces were stationed outside the prestigious Sri Pratap College and were allowing students on the campus after checking their identity cards. “I came here to get the study material and not to attend the classes. The teachers told us that the classes can only start once the situation becomes normal,” said a chemistry student, who did not wish to be named.
Restrictions imposed to prevent protests against the change in J&K’s constitutional status have been eased across Kashmir. But a shutdown against the government’s move continues while mobile and internet services remain largely blocked.
First Published:
Oct 10, 2019 05:57 IST
Source: HindustanTimes