Transporters strike bring life to halt in JK

Srinagar: Normal life in Jammu and Kashmir was thrown out of gear in response to the strike called by transporters against increase in taxes, rise in fuel prices, stringent laws against road accidents and lack of facilities at bus and taxi stands.

Press Bureau of India city correspondent said that normal life in this capital city was affected due to the transporters strike. All modes of public transport, including passenger buses, Tata sumos, and auto rickshaws were off the roads while the people were seen travelling by foot to reach their destinations.  At several places, the transporters were seen manhandling their colleagues who dared to violate the strike.

The unavailability of the state run State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses made the things worse. Office goers had a tough time while walking several kilometers in freezing temperature.

“I had to walk for an hour to reach Karan Nagar from Rainawari as the transport was off the roads. Many auto drivers who plied on the city roads had to bear the brunt of the striking transporters,” Ali Abbas, a local said.

Meanwhile, the valley transporters have threatened to go on indefinite strike besides and hold the taxes payable to government if the latter doesn’t meet their demands at the earliest.

“We’ll not pay taxes to the government and will go on indefinite strike, incase our genuine demands are not met,” General Secretary, All Kashmir Transporters Welfare association Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh said, while addressing a news conference here this evening

“Today’s token strike was aimed to aware the government about the problems faced by the people associated with the transport industry”, he added.