Governor reviews situation in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 17: Strike-hit Kashmir Valley remained peaceful on Sunday, Aug 17 while the Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra reviewed the developments in the state and the movement of essential commodities by road.

According to reports from our official sources this morning, there is no report of any untoward incident from any part of the Valley.

In certain areas of Srinagar and some parts of the Valley, petty shops reopened in the morning to enable people to buy essential commodities, but shopkeepers had to down their shutters as groups of youth asked them to observe the strike.

However, markets remained closed and public and private transport largely remained off the roads in Srinagar and other major towns in the Valley.

Meanwhile, the Governor chaired a high-level meeting and reviewed the law and order situation in the state, especially Kashmir.

The high level meeting included the Governor's three Advisors--H H Tyabji, S S Bloeria and C Phunsog, Chief Secretary S S Kapur, General Officer Commanding of Srinagar- based 15 Corps Lieutenant General Mukesh Sabherwal, Principal Secretary (Home) Anil Goswami, Director General of Police Kuldeep Khuda and Principal Secretary to Governor B B Vyas.

Emphasis of the meeting was on the law and order front and the movement of vehicular traffic on the National Highway carrying essentials.

While addressing the issue of shortage of essentials, Vohra said, "Effective and closely coordinated efforts should be continued for maintaining round-the-clock movement of essential items to ensure their uninterrupted availability in all areas particularly certain rural areas from where complaints had been received regarding shortages."

Meanwhile, the coordination committee of Hurriyat Conference and other separatist groups and traders' bodies are scheduled to meet during the day to decide whether to continue with the strike which has been called to protest the killing of 22 persons in the Valley and 'high-handedness' of security forces in dealing with Amarnath land row issue.

The separarist groups and traders' bodies have been protesting against the 'economic blockade' of the Valley in the wake of the agitation over the Amarnath land issue.

ANI