Rehabilitate us, say affected transporters in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 14 (UNI) Hundreds of transporters, including drivers and conductors, took to the streets here today in protest against the banning of 25-year-old commercial vehicles in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Raising slogans against the ban order, the processionists marched through different streets, including the historic Lal Chowk.

The government has banned plying of all 25 year old commerical vehicles following orders from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court division bench.

We appeal to court and government to reconsider the ban order as hundreds of people have become jobless, they said.

A number of banned vehicle owners said they have spend lakhs of rupees to rebuild the body and general overhauling of their vehicles after getting the go ahead from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) here only a year back.

We have repaired the vehicles after getting loan from banks on higher interest rates, they said adding they were left with no alternative but to protest against the ban orders.

Transporters have also observed a one-day general strike on February 3 against the order.

The Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (KTWA) has demanded proper rehabilitation of those affected by the ban.

Similar demonstrations were held yesterday by the transporters in the city.

UNI