Dr Abdullah, Omar questions ban on civilian traffic on highway

Srinagar: Urging Governor Administration to do away with the highway ban, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah said such decision does not behoove a democratic country like that of ours.
Meanwhile, massive protests were held at fruit mandi in Sopore alleging that frequent closure of the highway on one or the other pretext was a conspiracy to damage the fruit industry. Rejecting Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, claim that there was no ban on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway, the agitated fruit growers said no civilian vehicle, including fruit laden trucks are being allowed for hours by the traffic police until the yatra vehicles are cleared.
Dr Abdullah said that Kashmiris have always taken it upon themselves to support Shri Amarnath Yatra. “Governor has himself said that the Yatra has always been supported by the locals. Then one fails to understand why locals are put to undue duress by coming up with reckless traffic gags and highways bans. I urge the government to do away with the highway ban. Such decision does not behoove a democratic country like that of ours.”
Meanwhile, vice president of the National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed dismay over the frequent intimidation and restrictions on the sole highway connecting Kashmir with the rest of country.
Interacting with the delegation of fruit growers from Sopore said, “The party is privy to the difficulties the people of the state are facing in wake of the reckless highway ban. The marginalized traders, the fruit growers are in particular at the receiving end of it.  Our party has been raising the issue at all appropriate forums. Our parliament members are continuously raising the issues concerning the state in the parliament.”
The fruit grower’s delegation that had called on Omar at his residence apprised him about the range of difficulties they are facing in wake of reckless high way ban. The visiting delegation apprised the party vice president about the plethora of miseries that the general public is facing because of the recurring diktats. Party vice president assured the visiting delegation to take their issues concerning them at appropriate forums particularly to expedite the movement of fruit laden trucks on priority basis.
Urging the incumbent governor administration to ensure the quick widening of Udampur –Banihal stretch he said, “The road widening between the Banihal –Udampur Stretch is also impeding the hassle free movement of the trucks laden with perishable items mostly fruits and live stock. The frequent traffic jams on the stretch has become a nuisance which needs to be addressed to,” he said adding, “The harassment and the frequent restrictions on the highway is also adding to the mounting woes of the traders and business community in the valley. The highway is already fraught with innumerable bottlenecks.”