Civil secretariat offices start functioning in Jammu

The civil secretariat offices, including those of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats started functioning for here from Monday their six-monthly sojourn.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was accorded a guard of honour on her arrival at the Civil Secretariat, with top police and civil service officers accompanying her.

She went round different offices inside the secretariat to see if these are functioning normally.

Following an over a century-old tradition called the 'Darbar Move' (Moving of the King's Court), set up by the Dogra Maharajas of the state, the seat of governance shuttles between the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu on a six-month basis.

Opposition National Panthers Party had announced a protest against the state government on Monday to coincide with the opening of the civil secretariat in Jammu.

Police and paramilitary forces prevented the protesters from blocking the passage of the Chief Minister and others to the secretariat complex.

Traders' organisations have also announced a protest shutdown in the city against the policies of the state government.

The traders' protest had partial impact on normal life in Jammu.

--IANS

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