Necessary measures being taken to maintain law and order in J-K: MHA

New Delhi, August 22 : The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday released a statement stating that a programme and congregation for offering Friday Namaz collectively at the Eid-Gah at Srinagar today passed off peacefully.

It further added that the situation in the Jammu region also remained by and large peaceful, although it is reported that there were some isolated incidents where the police intervened to maintain law and order. Curfew was relaxed in Jammu, Samba, Kishtwar and Udhampur areas.

A close watch is being kept over the situation and necessary measures to maintain law and order are being taken.

The free movement of goods and traffic along the NH 1A continued and over 2000 trucks are reported to have moved to and from the Kashmir Valley during 24 hours up to 2 p.m. today.

These include 370 trucks of essential commodities like food grains and petroleum products and 497 trucks of fruits from the valley.

A section of the media has reported that movement of fruits from Srinagar to Jammu had been much less than last year. Contrary to these reports, from the beginning of the present month, over 3000 trucks carrying fruits have left the valley. Similarly, more than 50 trucks of sugar have been moved to the valley contrary to a figure of five as reported in one of the dailies.

The position of supply of essential commodities and movement of other goods to and from the State is being closely monitored by the State and the Central Government, and all necessary measures to ensure free movement are and will continue to be ensured.

The Ministry said in this context, it is stressed that some rumours which continue to be floated by vested interests regarding the alleged "economic blockade" of the valley are completely baseless.

ANI