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Srinagar, May 23 (UNI) Succumbing to pressure of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Jammu and Kashmir government has changed the colour of the uniform for drivers and conductors of public transport.

State Transport Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen told reporters in Humhama that several transporters and associations had expressed reservations over the state government order, directing drivers and conductors to wear 'khaki' dress.

He said the transporters had contended that the 'khaki' dress could prove dangerous for their drivers and conductors as the Jammu and Kashmir police personnel engaged in counter-insurgency operations were using a similar uniform.

Besides, Hakeem Yaseen said some ''elements'' had also asked the drivers and conductors not to use 'khaki' uniform, apparently referring to the Hizbul Mujahideen ban on the dress.

Keeping in mind these reservations, Hakeem Yaseen said the state government has now decided to change the colour of the shirt of drivers and conductors of the public transport.

''They can now wear Grey shirt and khaki pants,'' he added.

The Hizbul Mujahideen, the single largest indigenous militant group active in Jammu and Kashmir, had recently asked the drivers and conductors of public transport to ''defy and disobey'' a state government order directing them to wear 'khaki' dress.

In a statement here, Hizb spokesman Junaid-ul-Islam said the Jammu and Kashmir government had ''deliberately'' prescribed the 'khaki' dress for drivers and conductors of the private public transport in the Valley.

He said the counter-insurgency forces of the Jammu and Kashmir police -- the Special Task Force and the Special Operation Group -- were using 'khaki' uniforms and as such would create confusion among the people of the Valley.

''As such, using khaki dress would be dangerous for the innocent drivers and conductors. They should vehemently defy and disobey the state government order,'' the Hizb spokesman added.

He urged the transporters to ''resist'' and launch an agitation if the state government forced them to wear the 'khaki' uniform.

UNI