Ajit Doval Briefs Envoys of All South Asian Nations Except Pakistan

New Delhi: NSA Ajit K Doval on Friday briefed envoys of all South Asian nations minus Pakistan on the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir which is fast returning to normalcy through lifting of various restrictions that were put in place following abrogation of Article 370.

The envoys were informed that some restrictions on communications and preventive detentions were made at local administration level based on the ground situation with a view to maintain public law and order. These are being reviewed continuously and eased based on the ground situation, sources informed. There has been no incident of major violence. “Not even a single live bullet has been fired. There has been no loss of life. Some small protests have been handled by local police while exercising full restraint,” the envoys were informed.

Essential supplies, including 24×7 electricity, water and sanitation are being provided. Hospitals and medical facilities are functioning normally. There is no shortage of medicines. All 376 notified medicines and 62 essential medicines are available in adequate quantity, ET has learnt.

In Srinagar, 1,165 out of 1,666 chemists shops are open. In Kashmir valley, 65% of the 7,630 retail chemists and 4,331 wholesale chemists are open. Over the last fortnight, nearly 250,000 people visited different district hospitals. Telecom connectivity is being restored gradually, keeping in mind the threat posed by terrorist organisations. As many as 73,000 of 93,000 landline telephones have been made operational by third week of August. Seventy-six out of the 95 telephone exchanges in Kashmir are now functional. All landlines and mobile phones are fully functional in Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Ninety-One per cent of the Kashmir Valley is free from any day time restrictions, the envoys were told. Jammu and Ladakh regions are completely free from any day-time restrictions. Vehicular movement in many parts of J&K and Ladakh is normal.

Source: ET

Image Courtesy: Mint