J&K : First batch of 300 Hajj pilgrims reach Srinagar

Restrictions were tightened in some parts of Srinagar on Sunday following incidents of violence a day earlier, even as the first batch of Haj pilgrims returned to Kashmir from Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state.

Srinagar:The first batch of 300 pilgrims landed at Srinagar airport from Saudi Arabia on Monday morning amid elaborate arrangements made by the authorities for the smooth movement of pilgrims to their respective destinations.

The pilgrims were received by Advisor to Governor Farooq Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan and Inspector General (IG) of Kashmir Police SP Pani.

Hilal Ahmed said, "I came here to pick up my sister and her husband. They are among the first batch of pilgrims who are coming from Saudi Arabia after performing the Hajj. As passes were issued to me, I didn't face difficulty on my way to Srinagar."

"Though some roads were blocked, the journey to Srinagar was quite fine. It is a matter of joy for us that the pilgrims are coming from a sacred place and will be reunited with their family soon," he added.

Expressing happiness, Yasir said, "My parents are coming. The arrival time of their flight was around 8.30 am and that's why I left my home in Anantnag at 6.45 am in the morning. Passes were issued to us and that's why we didn't have to stop anywhere in the middle of our journey."

Earlier on Saturday, Srinagar Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Khan said the administration was prepared for the return of pilgrims from Hajj.

"Relatives who were supposed to go to the airport to receive the Hajis have been provided passes three days back through concerned Deputy Commissioners," said Khan.

He expressed hope that the return will be smooth and that they will be able to reach their homes easily.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5.

However, on Saturday, 2G mobile internet services were restored in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kanthua and Udhampur districts of the region.