Free Web Site - Free Web Space and Site Hosting - Web Hosting - Internet Store and Ecommerce Solution Provider - High Speed Internet
Search the Web

Monitor News Bureau Srinagar:

The Kashmir Motor Drivers Association has suspended their operations in Ganderbal area following the frequent hijacking of the passenger buses by the army. The KMDA which is plying passenger buses in three districts of Kashmir valley suspended their operations to entire Ganderbal area for the time being few days back so that in future they are not being harassed by the army. The transporters want assurance from the authorities that they won't be harassed during their operations. Residents of Ganderbal who are suffering as a result of strike want that the authorities should intervene so that the army does not harass the drivers and the transport service is restored immediately. In almost every place the drivers are being harassed by the army authorities. In Hall Shopian, Kulgam, Rajpora, Kuller, the buses are being hijacked and taken by the security forces to their camps. They are kept for days together there. Same is the case with the buses plying on the routes in Chadoora, Budgam, Beerwah, Rafiabad, Pattan, Sopore, Handwara, Bandipora, Kupwara and other places. The Secretary General of the Kashmir Passenger Transport Welfare Association G M Butt told the Kashmir Monitor that they have apprised the authorities about the hijacking of the buses. They are meeting the army authorities regarding hijacking of the buses soon, he said. Butt said that last year the meeting of the Core Commander 15 Core, Lt General Krishan Paul, remained effective for 15 days only. The hijacking was again started despite the assurances by Paul that it would not happen again, he said. The transporters have also faxed a letter to the Defence Minister George Fernandies regarding the harassment to the transporters. He said that the passenger buses are being hijacked by the army personnel who take them for ferrying the troops to the operations against freedom fighters. The passengers are asked to disembark and the buses taken for the operations by the security forces. The passengers suffer a great deal due to the hijacking of the buses, as they have to travel a long distance on foot to reach their destination, he said. The worst sufferers are the sick and old people who can't walk. They have to return their homes back and cut short their visit. The people who have to go to the offices are not able to reach there on time. The students also miss the class in the schools and colleges due to hijacking of the vehicles. Some times the drivers become victims of crossfire between freedom fighters and the security forces. The drivers are not even given the fuel charges and are kept in the army camps for days together, said Butt. The family members of these drivers remain in trauma for the period till they return back to their homes. Some of the drivers have even decided to face the starvation than to do such a job where the death is looming over, he said. The transporters suffered huge losses during past one decade due to frequent curfews, and crackdowns. Butt, estimated the loss to the tune of Rs 50-60 crores. He lashed out at government's negligent attitude towards the sufferings of the transporters. He demanded that government should compensate for the losses, which the transporters have suffered during past one decade.