Stating that the ban on civilian movement on highway twice a week was ‘inhumane’, Kashmir Economic Alliance chairman Muhammad Yasin Khan today said life would be impossible on the two days.
Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Traders and ManufacturersFederation, said Kashmir doesn’t have any alternative routes other than thehighway which is the lifeline from Banihal to Kupwara, ban on civilian movementon this only route would bring normal life to halt.
“How will the patients reach hospitals? How will studentsreach their respective educational institutions? How will the office-goersreach their offices? And how will business go on?” he asked, adding that theban has been imposed without proper groundwork.
Khan said such a ban on the start of tourist season wouldagain doom the prospects of any revival of tourism this year. “Will we ask ourtourists to be confined indoors on the ban days?” Khan asked.
He said among other trades, the horticulture would beworst-hit. “Horticulture is the backbone of our economy, ban on highway willleave this sector rotting,” he said.
Khan said the people have a fundamental right to road accessand it cannot be curbed in the garb of security reasons. “Why doesn’t thegovernment explore possibility of dedicated rail service for troops fromBanihal to Kupwara,” he said.
Khan appealed Governor SP Malik to look into the matter.
“Such inhuman decisions can only alienate the peoplefurther. The government must look into the matter and reconsider its decisionbecause public movement on roads was not curbed even in 1990s,” he said.