Srinagar, Dec 7 (IANS) Authorities imposed restrictions in Ladakh region’s Kargil town Monday after protests demanding the opening of the Kargil-Srinagar road. A few people have also been arrested, an official said.
Scores of protesters took to the streets in Kargil to demand the re-opening of the Zojila Pass connecting the Ladakh region with the rest of the country. The route had been closed last month after heavy snowfall in the area led to extremely slippery road conditions

To quell the protests, authorities imposed restrictions under section 144 of the criminal procedure code, banning assembly of five or more people.

“Some arrests have also been made in Kargil,” a senior police officer said here.

Even after the closure of the Zojila Pass last month, people had tried to cross it. Timely action by police in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district had saved the lives of at least 350 people who had attempted to cross the pass.

“It is extremely cold in the Zojila Pass area. If passage of vehicles is allowed, there is apprehension of their being stranded on the road and endangering the lives of the passengers,” a senior official said here.

Air sorties are being undertaken between Srinagar and Kargil to carry the stranded people between the two places.