Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik justified restrictions imposed in the Valley saying on Wednesday that they were "necessary" to prevent civilian casualties.
Addressing a press conference—his first since the central government decided to do away with Article 370 of the Indian Consitution— Malik said: "Every Kashmiri life is valuable to us. We didn't lose a single life. There have been no civilian casualties. Some people have been wounded, but their injuries are also below the waist," he said, responding to news reports of people coming to hospitals with grave pellet wounds.
He also announced what he called the state's "single largest recruitment drive in the state".
"The state administration will fill up 50,000 jobs in the next three months," he said.
He also spoke about internet shutdown in the state saying "internet helps terrorists".
"Easing those restrictions will take longer and people will have to bear the inconvenience," he said.
He said the state government would try to bring back "normalcy in the state".
"We will try to protect the culture and identity of the state. That is our promise. We will restore democracy and make it truly vibrant and representative," he said.
The Governor was responding to some news reports that have claimed hospitals were seeing victims with serious pellet injuries, some even in the eyes.
The development comes hours after the Supreme Court issued notice to the central government over a petition challenging the Centre's decision.
The central government read down Articles 370 and 35-A of the constitution on August 5. As part of the decision, the central government also split the state into two union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The state went on a lockdown mode immediately after: administration cut off internet and communication connections in the state and imposed restrictions on movement—decisions the central government attributed to possible law and order problems.
Several political leaders, among them three of the state's former chief ministers—National Conference leaders Farooq and Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party's Mehbooba Mufti—who were taken under preventive detention just before the announcement still continue to be under house arrest.
