Wajahat Shabir
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 17: Reminiscent of early 1990s, the private drivers are scared of carrying the security forces. Pertinent to mention, the authorities have hired private vehicles to carry additional security men for election duty.
Early this month, a driver escaped unhurt when militants targeted his bus while carrying security forces. A large number of old buses have been seen moving across Kashmir carrying security men.
Mushtaq Ahmed (name changed), who owns a sumo said that carrying security forces from one place to another is very difficult and involves a lot of risk.
"We risk our lives. You may be hit by a stone or even a bullet," he said.
He added, "We have to be careful from both the sides, we cannot say no to security forces. We know what can be the consequences. Further, we have to be extra careful while moving deep into militant infested areas."
Another driver who drives an old bus said that my father has transported security forces from one area to another when militancy was in its peak. "Situation was volatile in 90's, in current time situation is better. There have been instances when vehicles carrying security men have been attacked," he said. |
