The Supreme Court on Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir should make every effort to restore normalcy in the state that has been under lockdown for over 40 days. The court then went on to add that restoration will however be done on a "selective basis, keeping in mind national interests".The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi refused to pass any order on restoration in Jammu and Kashmir.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi said, "We are not passing any orders.We are saying restore keeping in mind national security" and added,"We have said all facilities should be restored keeping in mind nationalsecurity. We are not carving out exceptions for any category."The bench ofCJI Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde and S A Nazeer said as the so-calledshutdown is in the valley itself, then it can be dealt by the Jammu and KasmirHigh Court.

The bench was told by the Centre that all Kashmir-based newspapers were running and the government had been offering all kinds of assistance.It also said that TV channels like Doordarshan and others private ones along with FM networks are working in the state. The bench asked Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, to put details of these steps taken on an affidavit.

Supreme Court was on Monday hearing a bunch of petitions filed on the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, media curbs and Article 370.Whilehearing a petition, CJI Ranjan Gogoi expressed concerns and sought a reportfrom the Jammu and Kashmir High Court chief justice on allegations that peopleare finding it difficult to approach the high court.CJI Gogoi said, "It isvery very serious if people are unable to approach the high court. I willmyself visit Srinagar."