KL Report
SRINAGAR
Day after the release of Tehreek e Hurriyat leaders, Director General Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad Saturday said, the situation in valley was returning back to normal which has enabled the administration to undertake the process of releasing the separatist leaders.
“Normalcy is returning quickly in valley which was evident even today and we have started process of releasing the separatist leaders.” DGP told KNS on Saturday. He added that in the coming days some other separatists might be released and if the situation remained peaceful, Police would think of scraping the PSA on Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan also.
Pertinently dozens of separatist leaders were either put under house arrest or lodged in various jails and Police Stations after the controversial hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 09.
The Police Chief further told KNS that authorities have already released Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar and Tehreek e Hurriyat General Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai.
“Public pressure has prevailed and the focus of people has again shifted to economic activities. People don’t want disturbance to hit their business and daily life and separatist despite their efforts failed to go against public,” added Prasad.
The DGP said, that despite Mirwaiz’s call for support to Saturday’s bandh call, there was no major impact on ground.
Expressing concern over the downfall of business in valley during the fresh spell of agitation, DGP said that Bollywood has revised its plans of shooting in valley and are looking towards Himachal, which could be detrimental to Kashmir economy. He however quickly added that, he has conveyed to Bollywood that JKP was ready to provide the best possible security cover to the film units who want to come to valley for shooting.
“At local level, we have been able to induce confidence in people about the situation, but outside state, people are still a bit apprehensive. We have now decided to launch a campaign to make people outside state also aware that the situation in the valley is back on track.” Said DGP, adding that with almost 32 flights operating from Srinagar International Airport daily and hotels jam packed, authorities were expecting a good and promising tourist season ahead.
