Kashmir turmoil hits postal services

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 23

The unprecedented lockdown has badly affected postal services in all three regions of the state, particularly in Kashmir.

There are thousands of letters waiting to be delivered as the services are yet to be restored in many areas.

Though officials of all post offices were told to join their duties on August 13, most of the post offices in the Valley and five districts of the Jammu region are being opened just for the sake of attendance.

According to sources, even the head offices of the postal services are unaware of the status of their offices across the Valley where telephone lines are yet to be restored.

“There are about 77 post offices in Kashmir valley, but only a few of them are working,” a source said.

“There is a big backlog as people are sending letters in Kashmir to know the whereabouts of their family and friends, but they are not being delivered on time,” he added.

All mobile and landline services were snapped in the Valley on August 4 evening and mobile internet was snapped in the rest of the state before scrapping Article 370 and reorganisation of the state.

Top officials of the postal services have refused to comment on the situation saying “We are not authorised to talk to the media.”