Drivers accuse traffic cop of ‘assault’, stage protest in Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 14: Sumo drivers from Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar outskirts Monday staged a protest against alleged ‘assault’ from a traffic cop on the Cashier of the Panthachowk Drivers Association.
Drivers assembled at Press Enclave Srinagar and alleged that a traffic police officer ‘slapped’ and ‘misbehaved’ with the Cashier of the Panthachowk Drivers Association.
They said that a passenger was declining to pay Sumo fare (Rs 125) and he approached the police officer who despite checking the rate list not only tore that but slapped the Cashier as well.
“A passenger from South Kashmir’s Islamabad district deboarded at Pantha Chowk but declined to pay the fare fixed by the Regional Transport Office. He instead of Rs 125 paid only Rs 110. When the Cashier showed him rate list, the traffic cop present on the spot, not only repeatedly slapped the Cashier but also tore the rate list,” one of the protesters told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The protesting driver amid sloganeering against the traffic department appealed to LG Manoj Sinha to give justice to them. “We are oppressed lot. We are being challaned on daily basis for no fault. Despite carrying all the documents our vehicles are being seized and we are forced to pay heft amounts in the form of challans. The online challan system has become nuisance for us,” they said.
The victim Cashier said he had recently undergone a surgery and today he was repeatedly slapped by a traffic cop. “There is no rule of law,” he added. (KNT)