Train services remain suspended in Kashmir after protestors damage track

Srinagar, May 11: Train service remained suspended for the second day on Friday in the Kashmir valley following damage caused to railway track by demonstrators on May 9 afternoon.
The train Baramulla in north Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region via Srinagar remained suspended as repair work has not yet been completed, a railway official told this morning.
Train service were resumed only on May 9 after remaining suspended for security reasons since Sunday after an encounter ensued in Shopian in which five Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed. Later during the subsequent demonstrators six civilians died in security force action.
We had resumed the train service May 9 but had to suspend it again in the afternoon in south Kashmir after some demonstrators damaged track at Panzgam. However, train service continued in north Kashmir on May 9.
He said about three hundred track-circuit operating clip (TCOC) are missing at Panzgam in south Kashmir. We have already started repair work and it could take more time to repair the damaged portion and replace TCOC, he added.
Therefore, he said, no train will chug on Srinagar-Badgam and Baramulla in north Kashmir. Similarly all trains will remained suspended on Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region.
He said railways has suffered heavy damage to rail coaches, tracks and lighting system in the past also.
This is the sixth time the train service has been suspended in the valley this month. Last month the service had to be eight times for security reasons. In 2016 train service remained suspended for over 50 days due to summer unrest.
He said in the past we suspended train service on the advice of police for security reasons but this time we had to stop all trains after the tracks were damaged.
Last month window panes, including front screen, were damaged after some demonstrators pelted stones on train between Srinagar- Baramulla track, he said adding the service is for common people but we cannot compromise on their security.
However, official sources said that some miscreants have damaged the track since train service is being considered very cheap, safe and fast as compared to other transport which are very costly.
The cabs and other transporters had field day when trains are suspended in the valley. UNI