Indian army and paramilitary troopers stand guard alongside a highway in the outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 4, 2019. Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir said Wednesday that no civilian traffic would be allowed to ply on highway in the restive region for two days in a week in view of large movement of the government forces during the upcoming India's general elections. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir said Wednesday that no civilian traffic would be allowed to ply on highway in the restive region for two days in a week in view of large movement of the government forces during the upcoming India's general elections.
"Keeping in view the large movement of security forces on the national highway during the parliamentary elections and associated possibility of any fidayeen (suicide) terror attack on security forces' convoys, the government has notified specified days in a week for their movement from Srinagar to Jammu. During these days, no civilian traffic would be allowed on national highway," a statement issued by the government said.
According to officials, Sunday and Wednesday will be restricted exclusively for the movement of government forces convoys and there would be a complete ban on civilian traffic on the road during these two days.
"The ban would remain in place from 4:00 a.m (local time) to 5:00 in the evening during these two days," a government spokesman said. "This prohibition would be from Baramulla through Srinagar, Qazigund, Jawahar-Tunnel, Banihal and Ramban till Udhampur."
The ban would remain place until May 31, the officials said.
"In the event of any requirement for local traffic movement for any emergency or for other purpose, the local administration and police would evolve necessary procedures for this as is done during curfew days," the government statement said.
