Kashmir tensions: Machail Mata Yatra reaches Kishtwar amid tight security

The Machail Mata Yatra reached Kishtwar township of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday for the annual special prayer at the shrine, officials said. Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh Rana and Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh Mehta welcomed the Machail Mata Yatra the town, the officials said.

The 43-day-long Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar district was suspended on August 3 due to security reasons. The yatra commenced on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5.

Adequate security arrangements were made for the yatra.

Rana said this year only 7,500 devotees visited the deity before the government decided to suspend the yatra. Earlier, thousands of devotees from across the country used to pay their obeisance at the temple every year.

In Srinagar, 190 schools in various zones are expected to open today. "As many as 190 schools will reopen on Monday in various zones of the district. The areas where schools will be opened include Lasjan, Sangri, Panthachowk, Nowgam, Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gagribal, Dhara, Theed, Batmaloo and Shalteng," an official spokesperson said. District administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure safety and security of the students, official said.

On Sunday, authorities made 10 more telephone exchanges operational in Kashmir. Around 28,000 fixed-line phones, out of around 50,000 in Kashmir Valley, were functional. Around 28,000 fixed-line phones, out of around 50,000 in the Valley, are now functional.

The exchanges that opened on Sunday were in areas around Dal Lake, Civil Secretariat and Nishat in Srinagar district; Pattan, Boniyar and Baramulla town in north Kashmir; Chadoora, Chrar-e Shariff in Budgam district; and Aishmuqam in south Kashmir.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir before the Centre announced its move to abrogate provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and divide the state into two Union Territories on August 5.