Jammu & Kashmir authorities trash rumours, warn of action

New Delhi | Srinagar: Reports of rumour-mongering and hooliganism in Jammu and Kashmir kept the state administration busy on Sunday, a day after restrictions were partially lifted from the Valley’s 50 police stations.
J&K principal secretary Rohit Kansal said: “We have received reports of hooligans and mischievous elements forcing shopkeepers to keep their establishment close.

This has been taken note of. Appropriate action will be taken.”

He, however, maintained that there were no reports of any untoward incidents from any part of the state.

In Jammu, low-speed mobile Internet services were snapped on Sunday again following the reports of rumour-mongering.

DGP Dilbagh Singh during the day held a security review in Jammu. Later, Jammu police in a Facebook post said: “It has been brought to our attention that a rumour is doing the rounds that petrol pumps in the city are going to be closed from tomorrow. It is hereby clarified that ‘this is a malicious rumour and is absolutely false’. We warn the rumourmongers… Strict proceedings shall be initiated.”

J&K administration officials told ET that they “have been advised to reopen only primary and secondary schools on Monday as there are indications that miscreants might try to disrupt the law and order in colleges and senior secondary schools.”

About 200 schools in and around Srinagar will be provided assistance by the state education department and security forces. Extra classes will be held later this month to make up for the losses, officials told ET.

Speaking to ET on phone, K Vijay Kumar, advisor to J&K governor Satya Pal Malik, said: “We will reopen junior schools first. It is being done after consulting the school authorities and parents. The administration understands the precious hours lost. Safety of children is of prime concern to us.” On restoration of mobile connectivity, Kumar told ET: “Situation is gradually improving. Landlines in many parts of Srinagar have started functioning.”

Officials also reviewed the availability of the essentials food items and medicines in the state.

Meanwhile, Malik was in Delhi on Sunday to meet Union home minister Amit Shah.