SRINAGAR: Despite PDP President Mehbooba Mufti taking up the matter of harassment of Kashmiri truck drivers in Punjab with the states police chief, the drivers allege that nothing has changed on ground as dozens of trucks carrying live-stock were penalised and charged Rs 7000 each.
General Secretary of Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association Meraj-ud-Din said that the Kashmiri truck drivers transporting live-stock from Indian markets to Valley are being victimised in Punjab under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which is not applicable on Kashmiri drivers as they already pay taxes to the Punjab government.
He said that last night dozens of Kashmiri truck drivers were stopped between Pathankot and Madhavpore by some people claiming to be representatives of Punjab government and forcibly extracted Rs 7000 from each driver. This is big harassment our drivers are facing there. They are threatened of dire consequences if they deny paying the desired amount, Mehraj-ud-Din said.
Pertinently, the Punjab Government has initiated a concerted drive to prevent cruelty against milch-cattle and other livestock especially during their transportation, besides effectively executing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. But unfortunately instead of executing the law in their own state, Kashmiri truck drivers are being intentionally victimised, said a driver.
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