Srinagar, April 10: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued a statement and clarified that civilian movement was not banned on the national highway in Jammu and Kashmir. Defending traffic restrictions on the national highway connecting Jammu with Srinagar, the MHA said some individuals were "deliberately" spreading "mischievous disinformation".

The MHA, in a statement, said: "An impression is being created by some individuals that the national highway has been closed for civilians. This is farthest from the truth. The Jammu and Kashmir government has already clarified in unambiguous terms, out of seven days in a week, only reasonable restrictions have been imposed, that too for 12 hours, two days in a week." Jammu and Kashmir: Activists Protests Against Jammu-Srinagar Highway Ban.

"This has been done to ensure safe movement of forces and at the same time minimising the inconvenience to public," the statement further read. Defending the traffic curbs on the national highway, the MHA stated that the total duration of prohibition is for 24 hours out of 168 hours in a week, which amounts to only 15 per cent of the time.

“While regulations for movement of civilian traffic were already in place during convoy movement, the state government has now come out with a planned movement of security forces on the national highway for a short duration — up to May 31, 2019,” the ministry statement read. Jammu And Kashmir: Blast in Car on Jammu-Srinagar Highway, Close Shave For CRPF Convoy.

The regulations have been imposed “just” for a total 15 days keeping in view the convoy efficiency and security of the personnel, “particularly in the backdrop of Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, and a similar unsuccessful attempt on March 31, 2019”, it stated.

Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has termed this order as a reflection of a BJP-led mindset of turning Kashmir into a colony like British-era. The Army has already stated that it is not going to follow the order of the state government as it will continue to run its convoys as per the need.

According to the order issued on April 3 by state Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra, no civilian traffic will be allowed to move from Baramulla in north Kashmir to Udhampur in Jammu region on Sundays and Wednesdays till May 31. The restrictions on civilian traffic on the 271-km highway will remain in force from 4 am to 5 pm, said the order, which was issued in the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. (With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2019 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).