Srinagar: Scores of e-rickshaw drivers in Srinagar staged a protest against alleged harassment by police, claiming they were being prevented from operating within the city.
The drivers, belonging to the All Kashmir E-Rickshaw Association, expressed frustration over being stopped by traffic police, despite having permission to operate in designated areas.
Arshid Abbas, President of the association, stated that the drivers were being denied access to Karan Nagar area, which is included in the permissible route plan approved by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The drivers argued that if they were not allowed to carry passengers within the city, they questioned the purpose of launching e-rickshaws earlier in Srinagar.
Many drivers highlighted their financial struggles, explaining that they had taken loans to purchase e-rickshaws, which constituted their sole source of income. They expressed concerns that failure to make loan payments could result in their vehicles being seized by banks.
In response, Superintendent of Police Traffic, Muzaffar Shah, told KNO that e-rickshaw drivers would not be stopped from operating on approved routes. On Friday, the drivers announced a two-day strike to protest against the alleged harassment and planned to meet with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to seek intervention in the matter.
