Transport Union protests against Administration

Sumo drivers staging protest at Mendhar on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor
Sumo drivers staging protest at Mendhar on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Mar 6: The local Transport Union members held protest against the Administration and blocked the road in Mendhar town of Poonch district today.
They were protesting against the exorbitant Adda entry fee being charged by the contractor.
The protesting drivers alleged that the contractor used to charge Entry fee of Rs 30 and now it has been increased to Rs 50 to 70, which is great injustice with them.
The contractor claims that he has paid Rs 67.30 lakh to the local administrator for the auction of the Adda fee contract. Therefore, he was forced to raise the Adda entry fee from the Sumos/ mini-buses and other commercial vehicles.
This demonstration was led by Tata Sumo Union president Kafeel Khan, where all the drivers blocked the road and raised slogans against the administration. During this time, the road from Mendhar to Poonch and Jammu remained blocked for more than an hour.
The drivers demanded that they will pay only Rs 30 as entry slip. The Administration should get this order implemented.
On receiving the information of protest SHO Mendhar, Deepak Katoch reached the Bus Stand Chowk where he assured that this demand will be conveyed to the administration. After that the drivers suspended their protest demonstration.
Later, SDM Mendhar, Imran Rashid held a meeting with the drivers and their president in which their issues were heard. He said that he will discuss the issue with the district administration and take appropriate decision.