Tractor drivers protest ban on river mineral
Stage protest in Shopian, demand revocation of ban
Shopian: Dozens of Tractor operators on Thursday staged a protest demonstration in main town Shopian and asked authorities to revoke the ban imposed on mineral extraction in the district.
Drivers along with their tractors appeared in main town and staged protest while requesting authorities to revoke the ban order on extraction of minerals.
The tractor drivers said that due to the ban they are on the verge of starvation and government must lift the ban at an earliest to save their families.
“We are sitting idle at home due to the ban order we have been rendered jobless. We have raised loans from various banks to purchase the tractors so that we could earn our livelihood and feed our families,” Shabir Ahmad, a protesting driver said.
He said that during the past week the authorities have gone tough and we are challaned while ferrying the river extracts.
“There is shortage of construction material in the area and demand is very high but we are unable to provide any kind of construction mineral to the people,” they said.
“The people associated with construction material business are on verge of starvation and government must take care of it,” said Zahoor Ahmad, another driver.
The protest continued for hours and the protesters demanded that the government must look into the matter at an earliest.
The protesting drivers said that if the government won’t revoke the ban, they will be forced to come on the roads as there is no alternate option available with them.
Notably, the protest continued for hours and was called off after a team of officials assured them that they will take cognizance of their issues.
Jahangeer Ganaie
