J-K bus, truck drivers protest against police, disrupt traffic

Traffic was today disrupted on Doda-Bhaderwah highway for over three hours as about two dozen bus and truck drivers held a protest against alleged corruption and high-handedness of police in Bhalla area here.
The drivers stopped the traffic on the highway burning tyres, staged a protest and raised slogans against police in the main market Bhalla in Doda district around 8 AM.
The protesting drivers alleged that incharge Police Post Bhalla along with constables not only use foul language but also manhandle poor drivers for no fault of theirs.
"Incharge Police Post Bhalla along with two constables stopped a Minibus and dragged out the driver, Ashiq Hussain, and without any provocation start abusing the poor fellow and even manhandled him with punches and blows," alleged an agitating driver demanding stern action against the officials.

However, SDPO Bhadarwah Brijesh Sharma said, "Police are just performing its duty to regulate the traffic and making the drivers to follow the rules and traffic norms.
"The young officer posted at Bhalla is doing a commendable job by trying to implement traffic rules in letter and spirit, which does not go well with habitual offenders."

He added, "The said driver was stopped and reprimanded by the police officials for overspending and creating chaos on the road. By protesting on the road and making commuters hostage is nothing more than a blackmailing tactics and a ploy to pressurise the police."

Meanwhile, district administration had a tough time pacifying the drivers as nearly 200 vehicles got stranded on both sides of the highway.
Later, SHO Bhadarwah Jatinder Sambyal along with Naib Tehsildar Bhalla Sanjay Kumar reached the spot and assured the agitating drivers that they will look into the matter and drivers not to be harassed unnecessarily.
After assurance from the administration, drivers called off their stir and traffic was restored after three hours of disruption.