Srinagar, Nov 30 – Agha Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar and leader of the National Conference (NC), has criticized the central government for its response to concerns over traffic disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during security forces’ convoy movements. Mehdi alleged that the government’s assurances about minimizing civilian inconvenience are “blatant lies,” citing video evidence that purportedly shows ambulances being stopped.
The controversy stems from Mehdi’s unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on November 29, 2024, inquiring about the frequent stoppages of traffic on the critical highway for military and paramilitary movements. Mehdi sought clarity on whether ambulances were also being halted, calling the practice a “humiliating” violation of human rights.
In its written response, the Ministry of Defence, represented by Minister of State Sanjay Seth, denied any wrongdoing. The reply stated that convoy movements were necessary for operational and administrative reasons, with traffic regulation carried out by local authorities and not the Indian Army. It emphasized that ambulances are always given priority and are not stopped by security forces.
“The Indian Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the National Highway,” the reply read, attributing traffic control to state authorities and emphasizing that road-opening procedures are essential to prevent attacks on convoys.
Mehdi, however, dismissed the government’s response as misleading. Sharing the parliamentary reply alongside videos on social media, he accused the government of “blatant lies” and posted footage purportedly showing ambulances being held up by security personnel during convoy movements.
“These are the lies they feed the Parliament while people on the ground continue to suffer. Ambulances being stopped is not just an inconvenience but a matter of life and death,” Mehdi wrote in his post.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is a vital lifeline for the Kashmir Valley, connecting it to the rest of the country. However, its frequent closures and traffic disruptions due to security protocols have long been a contentious issue. Convoy movements have intensified in recent years following heightened tensions in the region, further exacerbating delays for civilian vehicles.
Local residents have frequently voiced frustration over the stoppages, arguing that they disrupt daily life and emergency services. Critics have also raised concerns over the economic impact of delays on the highway, a key route for trade and tourism in the region.
The videos shared by Mehdi have reignited the debate, prompting calls for an independent inquiry into the handling of civilian traffic during convoy movements. Neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Indian Army has publicly responded to Mehdi’s allegations or the videos at the time of reporting.
In one of the videos shared by the MP in the comments section of his post on X (formerly Twitter), an ambulance and multiple civilian vehicles are seen halted on the highway as security forces man the road while a convoy of army vehicles passes on a parallel lane. In another clip, a trooper is seen stopping an ambulance attempting to rush through, with the seemingly angry trooper pointing his finger at the driver.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
