Dozens of transporters were detained by police today after they staged a protest in Press Enclave Srinagar.
The protest was organized by the All Jammu Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association. The protesters held banners and placards demanding that the government allow private civil buses to operate in the city.
The protestors raised concerns over the current restrictions on private buses, claiming that while Smart and RTC buses are allowed to ply in the city, their private counterparts are barred. The transporters accused the authorities of applying "double standards" in their approach.
“We want the authorities to implement the court's directive to decongest the traffic in Srinagar city. It is unjust to stop us from plying on city routes, while at the same time facilitating the entry of Smart and RTC buses,” one of the protestors told the media.
The transporters also called for equal treatment, seeking the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address their grievances.
Police detained the protestors and bundled them into a police van. They all were later released from detention.