Commuters suffer in Sopore as transporters strike enter third day

Transporters say strike to continue unless their demands are not considered  

Sopore, Nov 18 : Transporters in Sopore town on Thursday continued their indefinite strike for the third consecutive day against the administration’s move of accommodating “illegal” cabs in General Bus Stand, hitting life in the northern region.

The transporters demand immediate rollback of the decision saying the move will affect them.

Reports reaching the news agency said that hundreds of transporters assembled at the General Bus Stand and held a protest against the administration’s move.

Chairman Sopore transporters association, Sajad Ahmed, said that the protest will continue and all the passenger vehicles will remain off the roads till their demands are not met.

“We have been assured by the deputy commissioner Baramulla that the issue would be resolved within two days but nothing has been done till now,” he said.

Sajad said that the strike has caused them losses amounting to Rs 45-50 lakh but blamed the administration for forcing them to go for strike. According to him, their affiliates in Baramulla, Pattan, Sumbal, Kupwara and other adjacent villages have suffered due to the strike as well.

On the ground, the strike has caused inconvenience to commuters, many of whom were seen walking to reach their destinations.

“I had a medical emergency at home and had to reach Rafiabad. But lack of transport in Sopore forced me to pay Rs 700 to a cab as against Rs 30,” said a commuter, Nasir Ahmed.

A college-goer, who had to reach Baramulla, said that if the administration is so hellbent on their decision, they should give some alternatives to commuters. “How can we reach the college,” he asked.

Similarly, a group of students and office goers said they either reached their destinations very late or in many cases were forced to stay home.

On Monday, a formal order was issued to accommodate “illegal” sumos in general bus stand Sopore.

Additional deputy commissioner Sopore Parveez Sajad told KNO that the order would be implemented. “The order won’t be revoked,” he said—(KNO)