Police refutes allegation of beating drivers in Jammu

Jammu, Aug 20 (UNI) Police today termed as ''false and fabricated'' the news of beating of some drivers and breaking of window panes by protestors at Patnitop area on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Reacting to a news item published in a Jammu-based English daily, the Senior Superintendent of Police (Ramban district) Surinder Gupta said it was ''fabricated, false and baseless'', saying ''the situation on National Highway right from Patnitop to Jawahar Tunnel is peaceful and the traffic is plying smoothly.'' Substantiating his claim of peaceful plying of vehicles, the SSP said, ''From 0600 hrs on August 19 to 0600 hrs of August 20, 592 trucks, 137 tankers, 23 gas tankers, 18 buses and 210 LMVs crossed Jawahar Tunnel during upward convoy while towards Jammu 595 trucks, 152 tankers, 56 buses and 314 LMVs crossed Patnitop without any unpleasant happening.'' Adequate police and security personnel have been deployed along National Highway for the security and assistance of the goods carriers and tankers, Mr Gupta said in a statement.

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