Srinagar, July 20:The Ambedkar Samaj Party (ASP) held a press conference at its party office in Srinagar on Sunday afternoon, where senior party leaders raised serious concerns about the growing neglect of transporters across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Addressing the media, ASP State President for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, Nisar Ahmed Khan, said the main objective of the press conference was to highlight the plight of transporters who have been left in distress due to lack of government support.
“Transporters are the backbone of many families. In many cases, one vehicle supports multiple households. These individuals are already burdened with bank loans and financial stress, yet they continue to be ignored by regional political parties and the current administration,” Khan stated.
He criticized the government’s recent promotion of Smart City buses in urban areas, particularly in Srinagar, claiming that the administration wrongly blames private transporters for traffic congestion. “This is a well-planned trick. If Smart City buses cause traffic jams, why are private operators being held responsible?” he asked.
M. Yaqoob Dunoo (State General Secretary), Tariq Habib and Mehraj Afaq (both State Vice Presidents), Davinder Singh (Spokesperson), Muzaffar Ahmed (State Secretary), and other senior secretaries were present during the event.
Khan further alleged that the government has failed to support transporter families, leading to serious hardships for their children and dependents. “The families of these transporters are suffering. The government must take urgent steps to address their issues,” he added.
The ASP demanded that the administration allot proper parking or working locations for local transporters in Srinagar and ensure that non-local operators are not allowed to dominate the local tourism transport sector.
“We urge the Lieutenant Governor's administration and the concerned authorities to immediately look into the matter, resolve their genuine demands, and provide relief to these hardworking people,” Khan concluded.
The party has called for swift intervention, stressing that continued ignorance could lead to further financial and social distress among the local transporter community.
