Transporters strike hits life in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 9 : A four-day strike called on by the transporters in Kashmir has brought life to a standstill in the state.

In Srinagar, schools, offices and other establishments remained shut today due to the strike called by the transporters demanding a hike in passenger fares in the region.

The transporters want the State Government to raise the passenger fares in the wake of recent hike in fuel prices by the Central Government.

Buses, taxis and other commercial vehicles stayed off the streets, causing considerable inconvenience to the residents, some of who, however, supported the decision of the transporters to go on strike.

"The call for the strike is correct as the hike in fuel prices is too much for the common man. We are suffering as we have to go to Delhi, but we are not getting any vehicle," said Farooq Ahmed, a resident.

Many others blamed the State Government for failing to make alternate arrangements for the commuters.

"I'm standing here since morning as I had to drop the kids to school, but we have been unable to get any transport. The government had announced that there will be around 2,000 vehicles, but there are no vehicles today. The condition is bad, everything has come to a halt," said Nisar Ahmed, another resident.

The fares in Kashmir have not been revised since 2005 while the oil prices have increased manifold during the period. The transporters say the recent hike in oil prices has burdened them with losses.

The government had announced the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by about 10 per cent and of a cylinder of cooking gas by 17 per cent, the biggest hike in fuel prices in 12 years.

ANI