Load carrier drivers always create problems for passengers: IGP
Nagrota: Traffic cops allegedly went on a rampage and thrashed scores of drivers, causing heavy damage to their vehicles at Toll Plaza in Nagrota Jammu on Friday night.
Drivers alleged that a particular traffic police officer and his team beat and scared the drivers so much that some of them in injured condition returned back to Jammu. Our vehicles were loaded with perishable goods and so despite heavy thrashing, we managed to reach our destination in Kashmir, Gulzar Ahmed Ganaie, a driver from Soput Kulgam told CNS.
Narrating the incident, the Kashmir bound drivers from Jammu said that they reached at 9:30 in evening near Toll Plaza Nagrota. We as usual parked our vehicles on the one side of the road in queue. The traffic cops including the officer present there were furious as some of the vehicles carrying goods had managed to give them a slip and they were busy in inquiring about the matter with one another. They pounced upon us when one of the drivers just tried to enquire from the officer how much time they have to wait here. The officer wearing a Khaki Jacket along with the team smashed the front and hind glasses of scores of vehicles and thrashed everyone who came in their way, Ganaie said adding that his vehicle (JK03C-2463) was completely damaged by the traffic cops.
Another driver from Khanbal Anantnag, Ghulam Hasan Bhat said that the traffic officer and his party let loose a reign of terror on the spot. There was darkness and we failed to comprehend what was happening. Some Srinagar bound drivers felt so scared that they returned back to Jammu in injured condition, he said adding that at least 15 drivers were injured during the assualt.
Another driver said that the vehicles of Muhammad Shaban Dar of Achabal (JKD-6174), Altaf Ahmed Dar of Bijbehara (JK03D-5366), Ghulam Hasan Bhat of Khanabal (JK01-4511) and Gulzar Ganie of Soput ((JK03C-2463) were completely damaged in police action.
Refuting the allegations, Inspector General of Police Traffic Muneer Ahmed Khan told CNS that drivers carrying goods from Jammu to Srinagar always create problems for passenger vehicles. He said that these load carrier drivers not only act as goons but also block the way for the passenger vehicles. I am giving you actual position. Withholding capacity for goods vehicles at Udhampur is not sufficient so we allow load carrier vehicles to get parked at Nagrota too. These load carrier drivers always create problems for the passenger vehicles and try to overtake them, he said adding that their first preference is always a passenger as truck and other drivers survive easily when the road gets blocked as they always keep food and other stock in their vehicles. (CNS)