RAMBAN: The Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway came to a grinding halt after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) blocked the road against setting up an Oxygen Plant on the land allocated for the construction of a school and hospital.
The protesters also raised slogans against the police alleging that the police beat up several ABVP activists and detained them.
The irresponsible action of ABVP to block the ever busy NHW draw ire of citizens from length and breadth of the J&K. Agitated over blockage of the road by ABVP activists, Radhey Shyam Sharma who was on way to Srinagar said” Blocking of NHW is a crime and these activists of ABVP must booked under relevant sections of law”
Due to adamant attitude of ptotesters which were also supported by former BJP MLA from Ramban, Neelam Langeh-trucks loaded with livestock were deliberately not allowed by ABVP activists resulting in death of scores sheeps and goats.
“We urged the protesting students the the seniors who were accompanying them to allow the truck carrying livestock as prolong blockage would result in their death but none listen to our genuine request”lament Bashir, a truck driver.
Coming heavily against the ABVP activists, Vijay Gupta a trader who stuck on the road due to blockage said “There is indeed other civilized way of protest to highlight grievances. But, blocking the NHW which is considered as life line is a most “barbaric” act”.
Expressing their resentment against the blockage of NHW, the citizens said that ABVP is acting at the behest of local BJP leader who want get into limelight through such petty issues. Oxygen plant is being installed at a place which is earmarked for Hospital land, avers Kishori Lal. But,some mischievous mongers stoked the controversy merley for political mileage, he added.
We justified the police action against the trouble creators who were protesting under the banner of ABVP, said a local shopkeeper.
On Thursday night, scores of ABVP activists had staged a demonstration to protest against setting up of an oxygen plant on the land given for the construction of a higher secondary school and a district hospital.
The Police tried to pacify the agitated ABVP activists who gathered on the spot in violation of DDMA guidelines which are in force to prevent spread of coronavirus in the UT J&K. However, when they failed to heed to the advisory of administration, the police swung into action and arrested the ABVP activists for violating the Covid guidelines.
Meanwhile, the police in Jammu district acts tough against the ABVP activists who tried to block the Dogra Chowk demanding release of their activists who were arrested by District Ramban Police.