Fizala Khan
The Government forces, as reported by The Kashmiriyat, on the 11th of January, allegedly trashed a Tavera driver in Hyderbag area of Baramulla’s Pattan on Srinagar- Muzaffarabad highway in Kashmir. The Driver was thrashed without any provocation, after which he started protesting alone in rage, followed by locals from nearby joining him in the protest and shouting slogans against the Army.
The entire highway was blocked because of the congestion, with a broken car placed in the middle of the highway as the driver of the car and armed men quarreled continuously. The quarrel led to a heated fight after which, a woman dressed in red came forward in the defense of the driver being thrashed and his car that was seriously damaged by the armed forces.
The commotion that blocked the highway and caused traffic lasted for about 3 hours. The Kashmiriyat spoke to Momin Mehraj, who along with his family was stuck in the traffic caused by the commotion.
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He said, “We were in Palhalan area at around 1:00 pm when the quarrel began, fortunately, our driver skimmed through and thorough the jam, but we were surrounded by armed men and an angry crowd. I even heard the armed men, who were arguing and beating up the driver – load his gun. But, his companions stopped him from firing and pressing on the trigger”.
An eyewitness told The Kashmiriyat, “The lady in red outfit lunged at the army man who cocked his gun and grabbed him within no time. She beat him up with everything she had. It was the rage that was visible in her eyes and the entire mob that surrounded the commotion. The armed men then pushed the lady and pointed his gun towards her”.
According to the witness, after the armed man pulled out his gun, the entire crowd was enraged and revolting was their only element. The witness said, “After I heard the armed man load his gun and other men in camo screaming in rage, I went numb. I thought it was going to be the end of our lives. If it had not been for my mother, I would have lost all my ability and will to react in that situation. Her cry followed by the cocking of the gun is what brought me back to reality”.
The entire crowd, enraged by the illicit thrashing and beating up of the driver, started chanting slogans of ‘Free Kashmir‘ and ‘Go India Go Back‘ soon, took over the commotion in cacophony. The entire locality followed to do the same. Palhalan, being very sensitive and volatile, raged against the men in conveys.
Another eyewitness told The Kashmiriyat that there were more than 2 ambulances that were stuck in the entire congregation. The traffic the followed after the crowd mongering, only cleared after traffic police came forward and paved the way for the ambulances to reach to the patient in need of medical aid, whereas the other ambulance (that was already carrying a patient) was rushed to the hospital, as the traffic cleared. The congregation lasted for at least 2 hours, until Police dressed in civils, arrived at the spot.
Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Dr. Yasir Wani, was also affected by the traffic after the incident took place. He spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said, “The jam terribly affected people commuting through the way and forward. The roads that opened after 5 days of blockade due to heavy snowfall, followed by the incident that shook the area made it difficult for us to reach our destinations on time”.
“As doctors, we can not afford to reach late when a patient needs our attention. Army convoys on main roads and highways always heckle the civilians who travel for their day to day commute. It is absurd. Convoys always make things worse”.
An official of the Indian Army speaking to The Kashmiriyat called the allegations baseless.