Jammu, June 2 : J&K Transport Association, a body of private transporters, started a hunger strike on Tuesday seeking a financial-cum-relief package for private transporters.
A large number of drivers and helpers staged a protest at Tawi bridge and alleged that the government had ignored the transporters, who are on verge of bankruptcy.
Chairman Tarlochan Singh Wazir demanded that mini-buses and buses should be allowed to function to save transporters from starvation. Private transport has been shut since March 25, after the nationwide lockdown was announced.
“The COVID-19 outbreak has left a devastating impact on the transport sector with thousands of drivers and helpers rendered jobless and struggling to survive the pandemic for last two months,” said Wazir while leading a protest.
He said that it is unfortunate that no specific package has been announced for the transporters, who have mostly taken loans from the banks and are unable to repay them.
