Tourist group on way to Kashmir faced harassment from traffic cops at Jakhani, Udhampur

Srinagar: Contrary to the government’s efforts to promote the tourism sector, the tourists coming from outside places are facing problems in various ways, in which complaints of undue harassment by the traffic staff at some places on the Srinagar-Jammu highway are noteworthy.

A tourist group from outside the state led by Rajesh Kumar told the Kashmir Press Service that the traffic department personnel posted at Jakhani Udhampur subjected them to unnecessary harassment for days and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on them.

Stating the details, Rajesh Kumar said that he had come with his friends and relatives as tourists in Kashmir, but the harassment he faced at Jakhani Udhampur on the Srinagar-Jammu highway has made his trip bitter.

He said that two days ago he left Jammu for Srinagar and at Jakhani Udhampur, the traffic staff stopped him and began to harass him in various ways.

During the time, the two officers continued to threaten and asked for bribes in an invisible way, but according to Rajesh Kumar, they refused to give bribes in any way because they were possessing both vehicle as well as personal documents.

Kumar said that even if there was any mistake, the concerned officers should have fined according to the traffic rules, but this was not done. “Instead, for two hours, threats were made to seal our vehicle.”

Kumar said that he did not even refuse to get the vehicle sealed, so that it would have been redeemed from the court. “If there was a fine, he would have deposited it in the government treasury, but the ACP and inspector kept on demanding them bribe and finally 10000 rupees fine was imposed without any reason,” he added.

Explaining the reason for coming to the media, Rajesh Kumar and his colleagues said that the administration is active in Kashmir and there are talks of a transparent government system here, but these two traffic officers posted in Jakhani Udhampur are spoiling the name of the place.

“We are only questioning the transparency of the administration.”

They urged LG administration to take action against the two officers and their properties should also be investigated. “Huge amount is being earned daily while no substantial amount is deposited in the exchequer. This whole matter should be carefully investigated.”