J&K highway closure: MHA refutes charges of Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti

Union home ministry denied the news of recent traffic restrictions being imposed on National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of the highway was for movement of armed forces, it said.

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday strongly refuted the deliberate and mischievous disinformation being spread about the recently imposed traffic restrictions on National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Targeting claims by the two former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah over the highway closure, MHA official said, "an impression is being created by some individuals that, the National Highway has been closed for civilians. This is farthest from the truth.

"Giving clarification over the closure of highway for movement of armed forces, MHA said, "during this period of 12 hours, alternative routes like old NH and other internal roads are available for commutation of civilians without any hassles." "The total duration of prohibition is for 24 hours out of 168 hours in a week, which amounts to only 15% of the time," he added.

Home ministry official said the Jammu and Kashmir government has already clarified in unambiguous terms, that out of seven days in a week, only reasonable restrictions have been imposed, that too for 12 hours, two days in a week.

This has been done to ensure safe movement of forces and at the same time minimizing the inconvenience to public. 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 home ministry said while regulations for movement of civilian traffic were already in place during convoy movement, the J&K government has now come out with a planned movement of security forces on National Highway for a short duration, i.e up to May 31, 2019, just for a total of 15 days, keeping in view the convoy efficiency and security of the personnel, particularly in the backdrop of Pulwama attack.

"The restrictions have been re-imposed, after taking into account the requirements of students, patients etc and also ensuring minimum public hindrance. A robust mechanism to facilitate the public by the administration for exceptions and emergencies has also been ensured. Further, a mechanism has also been put in place to review these restrictions from time to time," said a home ministry statement.

A home ministry official said that certain vested interests are raking up this issue with utter disregard to the precious lives of security personnel that could be lost in Pulwama like attacks and are sensationalizing the issue without any consideration for National security.

"These planned restrictions which came into force from April 3, 2019, have by and large stabilized and are being properly implemented by the State Government without any inconvenience to public at large," he added.