Stranded Kashmir Bound Passengers hold protest in Jammu, demand Airlifting

Around 300 passengers, stranded at the Jammu bus stand due to the closure of Jammu-Srinagar Highway in view of snowfall, Monday held protests demanding that they be airlifted to Kashmir.
The travellers from Kashmir and the Chenab Valley are stranded at the General Bus Stand, Jammu, with the highway remaining closed for the fourth consecutive day today in the wake of landslides at some places and a fresh spell of snow in higher reaches in Kashmir.
They protested against the failure of the administration to make arrangement for alternate accommodation till the opening of the highway.
They alleged that there is no community kitchen or accommodation facility for the stranded passengers.
“Many have families and small children but no government official or minister has visited us during our forced stay in Jammu,” alleged the stranded passengers.
They said that the hotel owners are charging exorbitant rates in view of continued closure of the highway.
“Government should airlift us to Kashmir. Why cannot they arrange helicopter for the stranded Kashmir-bound passengers,” they said.