Only security forces’ convoys and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass on Wednesdays and Sundays
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday imposed its highway lockdown, even as two former chief ministers — Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti — hit the streets to defy the order.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway was dotted with security personnel from Baramulla to Udhampur as the ban order was imposed amid much chaos. Civilian vehicles weren't allowed to ply and only security convoys were seen moving.
With inter-city public transport not functional, people faced a lot of inconvenience in getting to their destinations. Some were seen riding cycles while others walked. Though emergency vehicles were being allowed through, civilian traffic movement came to a grinding halt.
The government had on April 3 issued an order banning civilian traffic on the national highway between Baramulla and Udhampur on Sundays and Wednesdays, reserving the two days for movement of security forces' convoys. The possibility of a terrorist attack with the general elections around the corner was cited as the reason for the order.
The controversy snowballed further when Mehbooba and Farooq took to the streets to defy the diktat. "Protested against governor administration's callous and absurd ban today. How can you restrict civilian movement on our main highway? You want to smother Kashmiris, change the demographics of the state and imprison them in their own land? Over my dead body," Mehbooba said, while symbolically defying the order.
PDP supporters led a march at Srinagar's Pantha Chowk, and shouted slogans while demanding the ban be revoked. "This is Kashmir, not Palestine. We won't allow you to turn our beloved land into an open air prison. Kashmiris now need to seek permission to use roads that rightfully belong to them and pay taxes for. The government's plan seems to be to reduce us to second class citizens in our own territory. The Valley's story has all the elements of a Greek tragedy," she said, adding that she plans to approach the court.
"The president of the traders federation met me today. He said this highway is their lifeline and they would suffer huge losses due to its closure. The order should be revoked. If the Army has to be ferried, let them use the train or move during the nights, so civilians aren't affected. We live in a free country, but they have imprisoned us. They should take back this law," said Farooq.
WHY THE BLOCKADE
Only security forces’ convoys and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass on Wednesdays and Sundays. Possibility of a terror strike with elections around the corner is cited as the reason
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