Taxi drivers protest against Army in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 27 (UNI) Hundreds of angry Tata Sumo drivers staged protests against the ''dictatorial policies'' of the Army toward them at Shopian in Pulwama district of south Kashmir today.

The protests came a day after a Tata Sumo driver, Mukhtar Ahmed, was killed in a militant ambush at Rakh Litter in Pulwama district last evening. A soldier was also killed and another wounded when militants fired at the Tata Sumo carrying them.

The Tata Sumo drivers, joined by villagers, staged protest at Shopian town, about 55 km from here.

The angry protestors alleged that the Army used to force them to transport soldiers from one place to another for anti-militancy operations, putting their lives at high risk.

The taxi drivers protested against the ''dictatorial policies'' of the Army, alleging that the soldiers snatch their taxis at gunpoint and then use the vehicles in anti-militancy operations.

''They put our lives at high risk,'' the protestors shouted.

UNI AG RR DS1700