No train from the Kashmir valley chugged to Banihal for the second consecutive day today.
Railway sources said the step was taken as a precautionary measure in the wake of the volatile situation in the Valley and in anticipation of protests across Kashmir after the Friday prayers.
Clashes between people and police and paramilitary personnel following restrictions on Muharram processions in the Valley on Thursday has reportedly compelled the railway authorities to cancel the train services between Srinagar and Banihal for the second day today.
Meanwhile, after the Friday prayers, Muslims of Batote and Ramban protested use of pages of a holy book in the manufacture of crackers, used during the Dasehra celebrations at Bhaderwah on Thursday.
“It was only at the behest of the state government that we had to stop the train services in the Valley yesterday and today. It was obviously because of the grim law and order situation,” said the chief controller of the railway in Srinagar.
