Rail service in Kashmir Valley suspended

Amid mounting unrest in Kashmir Valley, railways have suspended train movement on Quazigund-Baramulla section for the first time after rail service was introduced in the area two years back.

New Delhi: Amid mounting unrest in Kashmir
Valley, railways have suspended train movement on
Quazigund-Baramulla section for the first time after rail
service was introduced in the area two years back.

The suspension will remain in vogue till normalcy is
restored in the region, said a railway spokesperson.

"Due to law and order situation and damage to railway
tracks, signalling equipment and station building at and
around Sopore station in the Valley by mobs, the train
services have been suspended," he said, adding, the suspension
came into effect from July 31.

The spokesperson said the decision was taken after
damage to rail tracks and signals between Sopore and Srinagar
stations. He said Budgam station was also attacked by about
3000 protesters who also entered a nearby railway colony and
threatened the railway staff.

Hence, Railways had no option other than cancelling the
train operation in the Valley.

Meanwhile, majority of the railway staff have started
moving out of the Valley fearing for their lives, thus putting
a big question mark on smooth execution of the remaining
portion of the Kashmir rail link project.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had flagged off the first
train service in the Valley in October 2008.

-PTI

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