Barely hours after Amarnath yatris and tourists were asked to leave Kashmir, authorities said that there is no need to be panic and measures are being taken for safety and security of general public.
In a joint press conference on late Friday evening,Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan and Principal Secretary HomeShaleen Kabra said, “Measures are being taken for the security and safetyKashmir residents,” Kabra said. “Yatris and tourists are soft targets and wehave asked them to leave.”
Kabra and Khan said that the press conference by the GeneralOfficer Commanding of Srinagar based Chinar Corps and Director General ofPolice Dilbag Singh was about the security related issues. “We have credibleinputs about militant threat and we can’t afford harm to any pilgrim ortourist,” they said. “Rest the security forces are on job and safety andsecurity of Valley residents is our prime duty.”
The Principal Secretary Home said that rumours aboutimposing of curfew in the Valley are not true. “There is nothing like that,” hesaid. “However measures are being taken to maintain peace.”
The Divisional Commissioner said that during day manyrumours were floated. “Even there was a rumor about schools being closed. Itwas totally baseless. We humbly request people not pay heed to rumours.”
Khan said it wasunfortunate that there were queues at fuel stations, drug stores and otherplaces.
“There is no need to store the essentials as everything isnormal across,” he said adding that every step is being taken for safety andsecurity of the people. “Situation is being monitored closely.”