Kashmir: Train service resumes

In the first phase, polling was held on April 23 in Anantnag district, which witnessed a voter turnout of about 14 per cent only. Meanwhile, voters will exercise their franchise on May 6 in Shopian and Pulwama districts in third and last phase of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency.

Train service was suspended on Monday as a precautionary measure following apprehension of violence when polling was held in Kulgam district, official sources told UNI.

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for a poll boycott and strike in Kulgam district only for Monday.

They said the railway department is acting on the advice of administration, including police, who are taking decision keeping in view the safety and security of the passengers, railway officials and property. They said in the past railway suffered huge damages to property, including railway stations, tracks and signals during demonstrations.

Train service is very popular among the passengers, particularly students, employees and daily workers who are shuttling daily from their houses to educational institutions and offices or place of work in different parts of the valley. It is also cheap, fast and safe mode of journey against other transport available in the valley, where majority roads are damaged due to winter snow, leading to frequent traffic jam.