Jammu and Kashmir normal, no deaths reported, restoration of phone lines from Saturday: Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Friday said that not a single death was reported in the state despite efforts by Pakistan to destabilise the situation after the Centre's decision to impose restrictions in the wake of scrapping of Article 370.The J&K ChiefSecretary said that the situation in the state is completely normal and schoolsand colleges will be opened after the weekend area by area.

Subrahmanyam further informed that the public transport will be made operational and the government offices have started functioning fromtoday.The J&K top official said this while addressing a press briefing in Srinagar during which he said that the telecom connectivity will be gradually eased and restored in a phased manner.''Schools will be opened after theweekend area by area. Movement of public transport will be made operational.Government offices are functional from today.

Telecom connectivity will begradually eased and restored in a phased manner,'' J&K Chief Secretary said.

Subrahmanyam said that certain steps were taken by theCentre to ensure the safety of J&K residents, which included restrictionson free movement and snapping telecom connectivity, prevention of largegathering, closure of schools and colleges.He added that a few preventivedetentions of individuals were also made in accordance with provisions of lawto maintain law and order in the state.

''In implementing the decision taken last fortnight,cross-border terrorism required the government to put in place certainpreventing steps. The important factor was credible inputs that suchorganisations were planning to undertake strikes in J&K in immediatefuture,'' Subrahmanyam said.

Sources had earlier reported that all schools andeducational institutions in Kashmir will reopen from August 19.