Lies being spread about J&K national highway curbs, says govt

NEW DELHI: The home ministry on Wednesday sought to counter the “deliberate and mischievous disinformation” campaign that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in J&K had been closed to civilians and said the restrictions were only applicable for 12 hours, two days a week.

Also, during the restriction period, alternative routes like the old national highway and internal roads were available for civilians’ commute without any hassles, said an officer.

“An impression is being created by some individuals that the national highway has been closed for civilians. This is farthest from the truth,” the officer said, adding that the total duration of prohibition of civilian traffic on Jammu-Srinagar national highway since April 3 was for 24 hours, which was 15% of 168 hours in a week.

“It may be recalled that restrictions were in place in J&K earlier also and are imposed from time to time in other parts of the country for movement of the convoys of security forces,” the officer said.

While regulations for restricting civilian traffic during convoy movements were already in place, the J&K government has drawn up a plan for movement of security forces on the national highway for a 15-day duration, up to May 31, keeping in view the convoy efficiency and security of the personnel, particularly in the backdrop of the Pulwama attack on February 14 and a similar unsuccessful attempt on March 31.

The restrictions have been re-imposed, after taking into account the requirements of students, patients etc and also ensuring minimum public hindrance, the officer said. A robust mechanism to assist the public in emergencies has also been ensured, he added. A mechanism has also been put in place to review these restrictions from time to time.

The officer complained that certain vested interests were raking up this issue with utter disregard to the lives of security personnel and without any consideration for national security. The restrictions are being implemented by the state government without any inconvenience to people, the officer said.