Panic has gripped residents of the Mendhar town along the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch district where miscreants on Saturday night set on fire some vehicles belonging to a particular community.

The incident is being seen as a fallout of abrogation of Article 370 and splitting the state into two union territories. Authorities have described it as an accidental fire.

Some residents of the town alleged that the incident of arson was the handiwork of supporters of the Hurriyat Conference and other separatists who have opposed Modi government’s step. They demanded deployment of Army in the area to protect them from the miscreants.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that the government has made elaborate arrangements for the Eid on Monday. About 2.5 lakh sacrificial sheep and goats are available for Eid-ul-Azha in Srinagar.

State treasuries and Banks are being made functional during this period even on holidays. ATMs are functioning smoothly, and it has been ensured that cash is replenished on a regular basis and people are drawing cash as and when required.

Salary of all the employees is being released. GP Fund, Pension, Gratuity and other payments are being paid.

Delivery of vegetables, LPG, Poultry and eggs has been ensured at the doorsteps through mobile vans.

Ration stores in every district have started functioning to supply ration to the general public. Out of 3697 Ration stores in Kashmir Division, 3557 have been made operational to provide ration to the general public.

The Government has made sufficient stocking of essential items. Wheat has been stocked to suffice for 65 days, rice for 55 days, mutton for 17 days, poultry for 1 month, Kerosene Oil for 35 days, LPG for 1 month, High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and MS for 28 days, the spokesman added.

All bakery, poultry and mutton shops remained open on Sunday and long queues of people were seen outside these shops. 300 special telephone booths are being established to help the public to communicate with their kin and relations as telephone services have been suspended as a precautionary measure.