Rail service suspended for security reasons

Srinagar: All train runs in the Kashmir valley have been suspended for security reasons today, when separatists had called for a general strike against the visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
There will be no train run on Srinagar-Badgam in central Kashmir to Baramuilla in north route, a railway official told UNI.
He said therefore train service will also remain suspended on Srinagar-Anantnag-Qazigund in south Kashmir to Banihal in Jammu region for security reasons.
Train service has been suspended following advisory from state administration and police, he said.
Both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), spearheading the agitation demanding right to self determination, have called for a general strike today against the visit of Mr Singh.
However, chairmen of both the factions of the HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq had been put under house arrest while JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik has been arrested and lodged in Central Jail, Srinagar.
Train service was being suspended on the advice of police to prevent any damage to railway property and safety of passengers.
Rail service was also suspended on September 8 when separatists had called for protests after Friday prayers to express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims. However, trains chug on all routes yesterday though the service was affected for about two hours on Srinagar-Banihal track after some problem in engine of one of the trains. Train service has become most popular mode of transport which is being considered safe, cheap and fast in the valley, where traffic jam has become a daily routine and cost of hiding other mode of transport, including cab because of no fixed rate.
Railways suffered heavy losses after the train service remained suspended for about six months in the valley during summer unrest. Last month train also remained suspended for a number of days for security reasons, particularly in south Kashmi