J-K administration asks schools, government offices in Kashmir to reopen from Monday

Schools and colleges in Kashmir, which has been placed under complete clampdown since August 4, will reopen from Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said on Friday. "Schools will be opened after the weekend area by area", Subrahmanyam stated adding that "movement of public transport to be made operational soon". "Govt offices are functional from today. Telecom connectivity will be gradually eased and restored in a phased manner," he added.

The development comes after the Centre told the Supreme Court that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is improving and security forces is very much aware about the ground situation. The submission came before a bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi who was hearing various petitions related to the Kashmir issue. "Day by day situation improving in J-K, curbs being lifted gradually," the government said earlier. 

Following the scrapping of Article 370, the Supreme Court gave free hand to the Centre to take a call on the curbs given the sensitivity of the situation, adding that time will be required to restore normalcy as nothing could be done overnight. The top court was hearing on a petition filed by Congress leader Tehseen Poonawalla, challenging the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam in Srinagar: Schools will be opened after the weekend area by area. Movement of public transport to be made operational. Govt offices are functional from today. Telecom connectivity will be gradually eased and restored in a phased manner. pic.twitter.com/z6k0hj58rV

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2019

Earlier, a Raj Bhawan spokesperson said that government secretariat and other offices will start functioning from Friday while easing of public curbs would depend on day's development after the 'namaaz'.

Governor Satya Pal Malik directed the resumption of normal functioning of the government secretariat and other offices after a review of the security scenario in the state on Thursday evening, he stated. The governor also ordered for making arrangements to facilitate the government employees' movement to work, he added.

Governor Malik took the decision after a review of the security scenario in the state that ensured peaceful Independence Day celebrations across the state, including in its various district headquarters and elsewhere, the spokesperson said.   

He said the government would be watching the situation during Friday prayers (namaaz) and based on the day's developments, relaxations could be considered for the general public as well, he added.