During the curfew clamped on Kashmir Valley between July 8 and July 30, over five lakh citizens availed facilities in the outpatient department (OPD) and indoor operation services across hospitals in the valley, said the Centre in a status report submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday.
The Centre’s submission came in response to an order by the apex court to know the ground reality prevailing in the State following a PIl filed by a political outfit — J&K National Panthers Party, alleging that the curfew obstructed citizens from visiting hospitals and other essential commodities.
The report prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs gave full account of the number of patients who visited hospitals, surgeries (both minor and major) conducted at the hospitals, supply of foodgrains, fruits, vegetables, food items, fuel and cooking gas across the 10 curfew bound districts to dispel the dismal picture painted by the PIl to show normal life had been thrown out of gear.
The Bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, satisfied by the Centre’s response, asked the petitioner, represented by senior advocate Bhim Singh, to file an affidavit in reply to the report. The Court had hinted the petitioner last week that its order was intended to serve the welfare of the public in Kashmir and no effort must be made by the petitioner to draw any political mileage from filing of the petition.
For the Centre, Solicitor General Ranjit New DelhiKumar informed the Court that during the period of curfew, 872 incidents of violent protests took place claiming death of 42 civilians and two security personnel. But despite the law and order remaining tense, provisions were made to ensure citizens are not affected in any way.