Civilians harassed on Srinagar-Jammu highway during Indian army convoys: Ruhullah Mehdi
Srinagar: Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, senior leader of the National Conference (NC) and Indian Parliament member, has raised serious concerns over the repeated disruptions of civilian traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, particularly the halting of ambulances and essential vehicles during the movement of Indian military convoys.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a strong statement made in the Indian Parliament, Mehdi criticized the Indian government’s response to the issue, demanding immediate action to mitigate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. He highlighted that the frequent stoppage of civilian traffic, especially during convoy movements, is causing significant distress to the public, especially those in urgent need of medical assistance.
During his intervention, Mehdi questioned the Indian Ministry of Defence about the regular halting of civilian vehicles whenever military convoys pass through the vital highway. His inquiry focused on whether ambulances and emergency vehicles were also delayed during these convoys, and whether any measures were being taken to minimize the disruption. In reply, Indian Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, claimed that the Indian Army follows “detailed procedures” for the movement of convoys and does not harass or stop any civil movement on the highway.
However, Ruhullah Mehdi vehemently rejected the Indian government’s response, calling it blatant lies. He took to X to express his outrage. “I asked the Government of India to stop the harassment of people and blockading of traffic, including ambulances, on the Srinagar-Jammu highway during forces convoy movement. This is their response. Full of blatant lies,” Mehdi wrote.
The NC leader also shared video evidence on social media, showing instances where civilian traffic, including ambulances, were forced to halt for extended periods while Indian military convoys passed. The footage further fueled his argument that the disruption is not only inconvenient but poses a significant risk to the welfare of citizens, particularly those requiring urgent medical attention.
Civilians traveling along the Srinagar-Jammu highway have long complained about the inconvenience caused by frequent and lengthy traffic stoppages during convoy movements, which can last several hours. These disruptions often result in delays, causing immense hardship, particularly for those with medical emergencies or those trying to reach destinations in time for important commitments.
