Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 10: The ‘Group of Concerned Citizens’ (GCC) has appealed the Government of India to lift blanket ban on the use of highway by civilian vehicles on Wednesdays and Sundays.
We observe with concern the manner in which the ban is causing severe hardships to the public and impacting Kashmir’s economy, trade and education. The movement on the highway has already been severely hit because of inclement weather conditions and it is pertinent to point out that the Jammu-Srinagar highway is the main life-line to the Valley and crucial for the existence of the people,” the GCC said in a statement, issued here today.
Claiming that even the Army has objected to the contents of the order, the Group said that the present ban has specially hit the patients who are unable to reach hospitals and other health care institutions on time, jeopardising their health. The permit system adopted by the Government to allow movement of patients, ambulances and wedding parties is impractical and is causing immense harassment to ordinary citizens, the statement added.
“It is also a mockery of democracy if people have to take written permits for carrying on their day to day lives, and also for taking part in the process of Parliamentary elections, which has already commenced,” the Group said.
Maintaining that no one has any issues with adopting a proper safety protocol for ensuring safety of the forces, the Group opined that the ban/restrictions, in the present form, are totally unjustified, and militate against the fundamental rights of the citizens, as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
“In view of the undemocratic nature of the ban, the practical difficulties in its implementation and the humanitarian crisis it is causing in Kashmir, we demand that the ban be lifted immediately and alternate means be found to ensure safety of the para-military troops during their transportation without causing hardships to the public and violating their fundamental rights,” said GCC , which comprised of civil society members across communities and regions, including jurists, former civil servants academicians, journalists, businessmen and social activists, namely Mohammad Shafi Pandit (former Chairman J&K PSC), Ghulam Rasool Sufi (former Chief Information Commissioner), Abdul Wahid Qureshi (ex Vice Chancellor), G H Kango, Anuradha Bhasin , Nusrat Andrabi, Krishan Lal Kaul, Masood Ahmad Shah, Prof Nissar Ali, Abdul Rashid Khan, Rafiq Masoodi, Masood Hussain, Feroze Ahmad, Krishi Pandit GD Bakshi and others.
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