Danishwar Hameed
The repercussions of the two-day strike in the Kashmir Valley, organized by transporters in response to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita passed by the BJP government, are reverberating across the region.
Witnesses told The Kashmiriyat that a notable absence of public transport in key districts such as Kulgam, Anantnag, and Srinagar, leaving residents grappling with difficulties in commuting over larger distances.
The strike, part of the ‘Steering Chodo Andolan,’ has garnered support beyond the valley, with transporters from Maharashtra, New Delhi, and various states joining forces.
Mohammad Shafi Mir, Chairman of the All Kashmir Transporters’ Confederation, emphasized the solidarity behind the movement, stating that all types of passenger vehicles would participate in the protest on both January 9 and January 10.
The impetus behind this widespread protest lies in the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which has legalized stringent measures for hit-and-run cases, imposing a ₹7 lakh penalty and a 10-year jail term.
This legislation has not only sparked concerns but has also prompted coordinated strikes and demonstrations, disrupting normal life and intensifying the call for a collective stand against the controversial law.
As a Kulgam resident expressed, “Normal life has been disrupted,” encapsulating the challenges faced by the public amidst this period of heightened unrest.