By UNI
SRINAGAR: Train services were again suspended on Thursday for security reasons in the Kashmir valley, where separatists have called for a general strike in protest against the killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari by unidentified gunmen and civilians in security force action.
''We have suspended all train runs in the valley following a fresh directive from police", a senior railway official told UNI.
This is the sixth time, first in Governor rule, train service has been suspended in the valley this month.
He said, therefore, no train will chug between Srinagar-Badgam and Baramulla, in north Kashmir track today.
Similarly, no train will run on Badgam-Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region, he said.
Train services on this track was resumed only yesterday after remaining suspended for two days as a precautionary measure following stone pelting incidents on June 17 in Anantnag and other places.
However, train service was running normally in north Kashmir.
''We are acting only on the advice of police", he said, adding that security and safety of passengers besides railway officials was more important.
Train service has become very popular in the valley as it is being considered safe, fast and cheap against other mode of transport available.
Majority people, travelling to Jammu or returning from winter capital, are preferring to travel in Srinagar-Banihal train.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik have called for a general strike today against the assassination of Bukhari who was killed by unidentified gunmen near his newspaper office along with two Special Police Officers (SPOs) on June 15.
Besides, they have asked people to observe strike against civilian killings in security force action in the valley.
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