SC issues notices on plea challenging ban on civil traffic on Kashmir highway, asks Centre, State to respond within 2 weeks

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to Centre and J&K Government on a Writ Petition filed by Awami National Conference Vice-President Muzaffar Shah and Yasmeen Sonaullah.
The petitioners are seeking quashing of an earlier order of the J&K Government whereby, civilian traffic on a stretch of 270 km of the highway starting from District: Udhampur to District: Baramulla remains suspended once a week i.e. Sunday to facilitate the movement of security forces, earlier it was twice a week i.e. Wednesday and Sunday.
Arguing the petition in the Chief Justice’s Court, Supreme Court lawyer Suhail Malik appearing for the Petitioners stated that this highway is the lifeline of J&K as 5 out of the 10 districts are connected only through this highway while highways to 2 other districts branch out of it.
He added that 7 important hospitals including 3 super specialty hospitals are situated on this highway and that 69 lac people will be directly affected by this ban. The ban is under challenge as it violates Article 19 (1) (d) of the constitution which allows freedom to move anywhere throughout the country and also the National Highways (Land & Traffic) Act, 2002 as per which such an order can only be issued by the “Highway Authority” after it is published in the official gazette.
The Supreme Court, which has asked the central and state government to file their reply within 2 weeks, will now hear the matter on 6th May