Security Fear Takes Train Movement Off Track in Kashmir Valley

The latest series of protests in various parts of the Valley is likely to affect the train service in Kashmir for more days.

The train services from Qazigund in south to Baramulla in north Kashmir was suspended on Sunday afternoon due to the tension in many parts of south Kashmir over the death of a Ph.D student in Hyderabad.

“Due to the situation, we suspended the train operation since Sunday,” said SSP, Railway, Bashir Ahmad Yatoo.

“The decision about plying the train will be taken after reviewing the situation,” the SSP said.

The Railway sources said it was unlikely that the train would ply for the next few days as the Mutahida Majlis-e-Mushawarat (MMM), a Joint Consultative Council of several separatist groups, spearheading the protests to seek the return of the mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and JKLF founder leader Maqbool Bhat had called for a march to Parigam village of Pulwama town today.

Parigam is the native village of Mudasir Ahmad Malla, who was found hanging under mysterious circumstances in his room at Basheer Hostel of English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, on Saturday. His death sparked protests in Kashmir since Sunday.

“There was a minor damage to a train on Sunday afternoon near Kakpora in Pulwama when protesters threw stone at it. Since yesterday, we have suspended the train operation and it is unlikely that the train will resume its operation in the next two days,” said a Railway official. “A final decision will be taken after reviewing the situation,” he said.

The security officials, he said, were not giving clearance for plying the train as it passes through many sensitive areas of the Valley.

Since Afzal Guru’s execution on February 9, the train services in Kashmir have been badly hit. The train was suspended due to the security concern on February 9. Partial train service from Qazigund to Budgam in central Kashmir was resumed on February 18 and the train service between Baramulla to Qazigund was fully restored on February 25.

“The train operation is being suspended due to the fear of damages to the Railway property,” a Railway official said.

“In 2010, the train services in Kashmir had to be halted for five months due to security reasons and damage to the rail property in various parts of the Valley by protesters.”

The trains of Kashmir are yet to be connected with the rest of the country. They ply between Qazigund and Baramulla and cover a distance of 119 km.


(TNS)