SC asks Centre, Jammu and Kashmir to restore normalcy in state keeping in mind national interest

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir authorities to see that normalcy is restored on a selective basis in the state while keeping in mind national interest.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer asked authorities to restore normal life in the Valley and ensure people have access to welfare facilities The court said the restoration will be on a selective basis keeping in mind national interests.

The court asked the Centre to make all endeavours to restore normalcy in Kashmir as soon as possible and said that as the so-called shutdown is in the valley itself, then it can be dealt with by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

The court's directions came on a plea by Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times seeking removal of communication restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir.

Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that not a single bullet has been fired and there are some localised restrictions in place, adding that restrictions have been lifted in over 88 per cent police stations in Kashmir division.

He told the bench that all Kashmir-based newspapers were running and the government had been offering all kinds of assistance.

He also said that TV channels like Doordarshan and others private ones along with FM networks are working in the state.

The bench asked the Attorney General to put details of these steps taken on an affidavit.