Jammu: In the backdrop of BJP's plan to hoist the tricolour in Srinagar and the Republic Day celebrations, authorities today closed the Jammu-Srinagar and the Jammu-Pathankot highways besides the strategic Jawahar Tunnel and clamped prohibitory orders.
Movement of traffic has been suspended for two-days on the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as a precautionary measure in view of the flag hoisting and R-day, police sources told PTI.
Authorities have also shut the Jawahar tunnel - the gateway to Kashmir - besides all inter-district roads.
In view of the restrictions, over 700 vehicles have been stranded at various places en route the highway. All the vehicles bound for Kashmir have been stopped at Banihal ahead of Jawahar tunnel, they said.
However, a police spokesman sought to downplay the security measures, saying they were routine at this time of the year.
"Every year the highway is closed for R-day and Independence day as a security measure. It is nothing new," a police spokesman said.
With the standoff between the BJP and the J&K government threatening to escalate, authorities have also shut the strategic Jammu-Pathankote Highway to scuttle attempts by BJP activists to sneak into the Valley.
Prohibitory orders have also been issued along the highway from Kathua to Srinagar via Samba, Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur and Ramban districts to prevent BJP activists from entering the Kashmir Valley from these adjoining areas.
All inter-district highways - Jammu-Rajouri, Rajouri-Poonch, Jammu-Doda, Doda-Kishtwar have also been shut for two days as a security measure, they said.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed along the highway for security, they said.