NEW DELHI, Nov 29:
The Indian Army follows detailed procedures for the movement of convoys with due emphasis on the “friendly move” of the populace, the Government informed Parliament on Friday.
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Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said this in a written response to a query as to whether it is a fact that traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is stopped multiple times at multiple places for Army or paramilitary movement.
He was also asked whether it is a fact that not only normal traffic but ambulances also are stopped by security forces.
“Indian Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the National Highway,” Seth said in his response.
As part of a drill, regular movement of convoys takes place between Jammu and Srinagar for various operational as well as administrative reasons, he said.
“The Indian Army follows detailed procedures for the movement of convoys with due emphasis on friendly move of the populace,” the minister added.
Owing to security reasons and to thwart incidents like attacks or ambushes of convoys, road opening parties are sent out prior to the movement of any convoy of security forces, the MoS defence said.
“Traffic is regulated, temporarily, particularly at points where laterals meet the NH-44 and at U-turns, during the movement of the Army/CAPF convoys,” he said.
The charter of civilian traffic regulation is of the state authorities or Jammu and Kashmir Police. Ambulances are “always accorded priority” for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by security forces, Seth added. (PTI)
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