Fresh attacks on truckers in Kashmir, strike from tomorrow

Two drivers were injured and 17 tankers damaged in alleged stone-pelting attacks by protesters in Kashmir Valley today, prompting the truckers to announce a strike from tomorrow.
"Two drivers have been injured and 17 tankers damaged in fresh attacks by mobs and in stone-pelting in Kashmir Valley today," All Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers Association (JKOTA) president Anan Sharma told PTI here.
Meanwhile, All J&K Goods Carrier Association has announced that truckers operating in Kashmir, Ladakh and other parts of the state have decided to observe a "complete strike" from tomorrow in protest against the increasing attacks on trucks and the drivers in the Valley.

An emergency meeting of the association under the chairmanship of Harbans Singh was held here yesterday and the members resolved to observe strike from tomorrow.
Sharma said the situation is not conducive for them to operate as it has become a routine that tankers and trucks are attacked in Kashmir on a daily basis.
The tankers and trucks, which had come from Jammu to deliver supplies, were attacked at various places in Humama chowk, Bijbihara and other city areas, he said.

"We will hold a meeting tomorrow after all tankers are back from Kashmir and decide the next course of action," Sharma said.

Members of All J&K Goods Carrier Association alleged that even after assurance from the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, adequate security was not provided to them. Many trucks have been damaged and drivers beaten up recently and attacks are on rise in Kashmir, they said.
Over 70 trucks and tankers have suffered damages and several drivers have been injured in the mob attacks in Kashmir, they alleged.
Last month, oil tankers' association had gone a strike in the Valley which severely hit supply of essential commodities.