Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 1: All type of vehicles including buses, mini-buses, taxis, trucks and oil tankers etc remained off the road in entire Jammu region as transporters and transport-operators observed complete strike today demanding hike in passenger fare and freight rates.
From Lakhanpur to Banihal and even up to Rajouri-Poonch, the transport operators observed complete `chakka jam’ strike. The general public had to face lot of hardships in view of the strike while most of the Educational institutions also observed closure due to strike.
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The transporters and all types of private vehicles operators, assembled at Bikram Chowk in the morning and held strong protest demonstration. They were demanding increase in the passenger fare to the tune of 30 %. They were also raising slogans against Modi Govt for steep hike in the rates of petrol and diesel and against the State Administration. They alleged that despite several reminders and representations, the State Govt/ Administration failed to resolve their issue.
T S Wazir, chairman of All J&K Motor Transport Welfare Association was leading the protest. He addressed the large gathering and demanded that Govt should resolve their issue otherwise, transporters will be compelled to launch indefinite strike. He claimed that Govt was informed about their programme through media on Sept 26, but unfortunately no one in the Administration bothered to listen to their plea.
After passing through Tawi bridge the protesting transporters reached Dogra Chowk and then they culminated their protest march near the Press Club, where Wazir and several other members of Transport Unions talked to the media.
In view of the private vehicles strike general public was dependent on the SRTC and Punjab Roadways and other inter-state route buses. Entire Samba-Kathua, RS Pura, Akhnoor Chhhamb, Katra -Banihal and Rajouri-Poonch route buses did not ply today. The people were forced to travel on horse carts , tractors etc. The tankers and trucks in the region and tempo travelers, Sumos ete also remained off the roads. The employees could not reach to their offices at many places and even the students had to face lot of problems. Huge rush of passengers was observed at SRTC and Punjab, Himachal Roadways booths at General Bus Stand Jammu
Reports of similar strike were received from Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar. Some auto-rikshaws were found plying on few routes in Jammu city. SRTC buses were found over loaded at many places. The cops in `blue’ were also mostly seen `off the road’ today.
The Union workers during protest rally also broke the window panes of some three -wheelers and a bus near Bikram Chowk, Jammu for violation of resolution of the transport unions. The transporters have given one weeks ultimatum to the Government failing which they will launch indefinite strike.
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