Srinagar: In a joint action, the Shopian police and traffic department seized a Mahindra Thar for violating traffic norms after a video of the vehicle driving recklessly went viral on social media sites.
The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, took immediate action and ordered to blacklist the vehicle and a case was registered under relevant sections of the law at Shopian police station on February 1.
“As the video surfaced, we were informed about reckless driving that endangered both public property and lives. Accordingly, we alerted the RTO Kashmir, who directed us to take immediate action. We coordinated with the local police, leading to the detention of the driver and the vehicle’s owner. The car has been seized and blacklisted, while both the owner and driver remain in police custody,” an official told Free Press Kashmir.
Further investigation is underway. The official added that traffic departments across Kashmir are working to raise awareness about reckless driving.
In November 2024, tw0 teenage boys- Hamaad and Aseem Sofi, both 17 years old- lost their lives and two others were critically injured when their SUV crashed into a stationary truck before hitting a road divider on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The accident, which occurred in Tengpora, was captured on CCTV and widely shared on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
Political leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had expressed grief over the loss of young lives. “Our road sense shows no sign of improving,” Abdullah wrote on X, urging stricter enforcement of traffic rules.
“The issue is how minors are getting access to vehicles. Had they not been given access, this unfortunate accident wouldn’t have happened,” Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Srinagar City, Muzaffar Shah told reporters after the accident.
Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had also raised concerns over the alarming rise in vehicular accidents, urging parents to be more cautious when allowing youngsters access to vehicles.
