Kashmir-bound passengers stranded in Jammu for past three weeks due to highway closure have been facing immense problems. The callous attitude of local Jammu population towards them has made things more worse even as the RSS and BJP backed anti-Kashmir protests are intensifying sending a shock and scary waves for the people from Kashmir especially among women and kids.
Sensing trouble, the Jammu city Police Chief asked stranded passengers not to assemble anywhere for the registration. He made it clear that nowhere in Jammu city, stranded passengers are being registered for air lifting.
The stranded passengers who are short of money and other resources are finding it hard to fill their belly. “You won’t believe, I was asked to pay Rs 50 to charge my cell phone by a shopkeeper in Jammu. That time I realized, some people in Jammu city have extensive greed for money who seek pleasure in exploiting the helpless. I truly believe in Kashmiriyat and am sure if these people will face the same situation in Kashmir, they will get a red carpet welcome,” said Ghulam Muhammad Bhat from Aligund Tral to news agency CNS.
These passengers who have been urging the government to take immediate steps to clear the road or airlift them to Kashmir are spending their nights at bus stand, shrines, mosques and hostels. “We look like beggars here. Administration is doing nothing for us,” said another stranded passenger.
As the RSS and BJP backed protests against stranded passengers intensified on Tuesday, some philanthropists from Sikh community opened up the gates of several Gurudwaras for these Kashmir bound stranded passengers. The local protesters accuse Kashmiri stranded passengers of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during an anti-government demonstration.
“Dear all Kashmiris especially Muslim brothers and sisters who are stranded at Jammu Bus Stand due to closure of Jammu Srinagar Highway are requested to go to any Gurdwara in Jammu like Chand Kour, BC Road ,Nanak Nagar and Digiana Ashram. Sikh community has started free Langar and accommodation for everyone,” wrote one Channi Singh on his facebook account.
Reports said that over 1000 people are stranded due to closure of the highway due to snowfall and landslides.
“Government should airlift stranded passengers as there are women and children who are suffering badly,” they said adding that prices of commodities have been hiked as there is no market checking to put rates in order. “Some of the shopkeepers are taking undue advantage of our miseries,” they said and alleged they have to pay Rs 50 for the cup of a tea. (CNS)
