More than a week after the Centre imposed prohibitory conditions in Jammu and Kashmir anticipating mass resistance against scrapping of Article 370, the state government has signalled that the administration is taking steps to relax restrictions at the earliest. "We are following an overall policy of relaxation and easing out. Prohibitory conditions have been further relaxed in parts of Kashmir, while Jammu is almost entirely free of restrictions," said Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal.
He hinted at further easing of restrictions ahead of August 15. "The restrictions will be further relaxed after full dress rehearsals for Independence Day in all districts," Kansal added.
Kansal's statement comes soon after the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass any immediate directions to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government on a plea seeking lifting of all restrictions imposed after the abrogation of Article 370.
The apex court said that it will wait for return of normalcy and take up the matter after two weeks.
A three judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was hearing the petition filed by Congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla on the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370.
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During the hearing, the bench also comprising Justices M.R. Shah and Ajay Rastogi, said the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir was "very sensitive" and some time should be given for bringing back normalcy in the region.
The bench also said that it should be ensured that there is no loss of life there.
Justifying the government's move to impose restrictions, Kansal said it helped them to avoid loss of lives in the past one week. "We saw disturbances in the state in 2008 and 2016, too. There were 37 deaths in the first week of 2016, but in the last one week there has not been a single casualty. By imposing reasonable restrictions, at least we've been able to save human lives," Kansal said.
Kansal added that measures were also taken to check the spread of fake news in the valley. "Due cognisance has been taken of all the fake Twitter handles and of any items, which create disaffection. It is being tackled at the appropriate level legally, procedurally and through appropriate measures."
According to reports, eight Twitter handles were suspended for allegedly spreading anti-India propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir following a request by security agencies. The action has been taken as the Twitter accounts were allegedly spreading false and baseless propaganda against India on Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
(With PTI inputs)
