SRINAGAR: On the first day of a two-day wheeljam strike, most of the traffic remained off the road in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the legislation by Bharatiya Janata Party government imposing stern punitive measures including heavy fines on drivers for traffic accidents.
According to a Kashmir Media Service report, call for the strike was given by the All Kashmir Transporters’ Confederation. Significant absence of public transport was witnessed in key districts such as Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Islamabad, Baramulla and Bandipora, leaving residents grappling with difficulties.
Besides IIOJK, the strike garnered support from several states in India including Maharashtra and New Delhi. Mohammad Shafi Mir, Chairman of the All Kashmir Transporters’ Confederation, stated that all types of passenger vehicles would participate in the protest on January 10 as well.
The controversial law seeks stringent measures including a 10-year jail for drivers over traffic accidents. This legislation has not only sparked concerns but has also prompted coordinated strikes and demonstrations, disrupting normal life in IIOJK and inside India.
