Dozens of transporters were detained by police after attempting to stage a protest in Srinagar’s Press Enclave on Thursday.
The protesters, affiliated with the ‘All Jammu Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association,’ carried banners and placards urging the government to permit civil buses to operate within the city.
The transporters claimed that authorities are resorting to double standards, allowing Smart and RTC buses to ply while restricting private buses. They argued that a court order aimed at decongesting traffic prohibits buses from entering the city center, yet private buses are singled out.
“What kind of justice is it that you stop us from plying on city routes and at the same time facilitate the entry of smart buses and RTC buses into Srinagar city?” the protesters told the news agency Kashmir News Trust seeking the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The protesting transporters demanded equal treatment and an end to perceived discriminatory practices. [KNT]
