Tanker drivers demand security against mob attacks in Kashmir

Jammu, Aug 26 (PTI) Oil tanker drivers today held protestshere demanding safety for themselves prompted by a mob attackin which a driver was yesterday injured in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Petrol Tanker Drivers Welfare Committee(JKPTDWC) held protests and threatened to go on strike andstop oil supply in the entire state if drivers were targetedagain. "In recent days, administration has failed to providefoolproof security to the drivers. We have no option leftother than to shut down the supplies to Kashmir Valley andother parts of state if such kind of incidents continue,"President JKPTDWC, Ranjeet Singh Raina told reporters here. "Our petrol tankers have been attacked in Kashmir by mobs.Some drivers have been injured", Raina said. Anil Kumar, who was driving an oil tanker along withothers to Jammu after delivering supplies in Leh, said theywere attacked at Bijbehara and Sheltang in Kashmir yesterday. The injured driver said they were beaten up mercilessly bythe mob in presence of the army and the police. "Our vehicles were damaged in heavy stone pelting by themob and I was injured," Anil said. The drivers demanded security against mob attacks. A deputation of tank drivers met the DivisionalCommissioner Jammu Pawan Kotwal to highlight the issue. "We demanded security to vehicles and drivers in Kashmir.We cannot risk them. We also demanded relief to injureddrivers," said Raina. PTI AB CHT RGCHT