Army restores traffic on Jammu-Srinagar Highway amid shrine row violence

Udhampur/Srinagar, Aug 7 : The army has restored traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway even as violent agitation over the Amarnath land row continues.

Jammu continues to be the epicentre of the protests. On the 15th consecutive day of the protests on Thursday, a shutdown and a curfew was in place. The authorities relaxed curfew for four hours this morning between 5:00 a.m. ad 9:00 a.m.

Kathua continues to remain under complete curfew following violent protests.

After 36-days of continued violence, the Kashmir Valley is running short of food, fuel and medical supplies.

Hindus in Jammu, protesting against the State Government for backing down on transfer of forestland to the shrine trust, have attacked trucks carrying essential supplies to the Kashmir Valley.

After the deployment of the army on the highway, trucks loaded with essential commodities are moving in a hassle-free manner, the authorities said.

"Trucks loaded with fresh fruit and other essential commodities are moving without any difficulty as the army has been deployed on the highway. About 1000-1200 trucks loaded with essential commodities, grocery items, cooking gas cylinders, chicken, lamb, eggs, and other food items have been sent to Srinagar. Similarly, trucks loaded with fruit are making their way to other parts of the country via Jammu without any difficulty," said Rakesh Gupta, district traffic inspector in-charge national highway.

Meanwhile, All Party Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has demanded the UN's intervention to resolve the agitation.

"We will present a memorandum to the UN representatives in which we will make them aware about the ongoing unrest due to religious fanatic forces and the economic blockade in the valley. We will not just inform the international community, but also request them to intervene in the situation," said Mirwaiz.

ANI