Trains won't run in Kashmir for now, as Indian Railways has decided to suspend operations indefinitely on the Valley's only route after attacks on tracks and stations.
Mobs attacked stations in Sopore, Awantipora and Budgam and torched the bogeys of some trains. The track between Srinagar and Budgam was also damaged.
"The track is not safe for movement of trains forcing the authorities to suspend the operations of all five trains with immediate effect," said Opinder Singh, Chief Area Manager (Srinagar), Northern Railways.
"Operations in the Valley will be restored only after improvement in the situation and subsequent assessment of damages and repair of the track," he said.
Violence has surged in the Valley over the past two months, and scores of youth protesters have been killed in clashes with the police and paramilitary.
"Preliminary reports suggest the signaling system in Sopore and Awantipora areas was badly damaged by protestors while rail track at Bagh-e-Mehtab, between Srinagar and Budgam, was also blown up by the mob," Singh said.
At least 125 non-local railways employees in Kashmir have been sent on leave. Local staff have been asked not to report for duty for seven days.
"The Ferozepur Division of Northern Railways was also directed to consider the leave of its non-local employees posted on different railway stations as fear had gripped the employees due to attack on stations and damage to other infrastructure," a railway official said.
{{/usCountry}}"The Ferozepur Division of Northern Railways was also directed to consider the leave of its non-local employees posted on different railway stations as fear had gripped the employees due to attack on stations and damage to other infrastructure," a railway official said.
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