December 28, 2010 12:05:50 am
Over 30,000 Vaishno Devi pilgrims were stranded at various places in Jammu and Katra as transporters’ strike crippled normal life across the state on Monday. The one-day strike was called by the All J&K Transport Welfare Association,comprising operators of private passenger vehicles including buses and matadors,in protest against the hike in passenger tax chargeable from them as also the traffic polices decision to book owners of passenger vehicles found overloading.
The strike also had the support of the unions of trucks,taxis and auto operators.
Though the state government had pressed into service State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses,the fleet wasnt enough to handle the huge rush of passengers,especially in Katra.
Association president Vijay Sharma said if the government did not accept their demands,they will call a core committee meeting to decide about an indefinite strike.
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