The extended strike call was given Friday by members of Western Bus Stand Batamaloo and is supported by the transporter union of KMD Bus Stand and (Haji Pir Transport Company), a mini bus stand association in Batamaloo.
Chairman of Western Bus Stand Batamaloo Mushtaq Ahmad Lisa said, “Many transporters along local trade associations of Batamaloo market and shopkeepers have supported their call saying their trade is based on this particular bus stand and they will not let government shift their livelihood from there.”
Lisa said, “We met vice-president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sartaj Madni on Friday and he assured us that government will try to solve our problem as soon as possible and he also told us that he needs some time to think over this issue.”
The transporters assembled at Western Bus Stand Batamaloo on the third consecutive holding banners that read, “Save General Bus Stand Batamaloo for the benefit of general public.”
“Today we were all the day protesting in our stand and we will be protesting till our demands are fulfilled,” said Lisa.
Meanwhile, chairman of KMD Bus Stand Batamaloo, Abdul Qayoom Wani said, “We will support the strike call of the western bus service till the government revokes the orders of shifting the bus stand.”
Wani said, “We will not step back and government will be responsible if there will be any inconvenience to the commuters coming from the many districts of the valley.”
Wani further said, “The strike call is not only supported by KMD union only, but also by the chairman of the mini bus stand Haji Pir Transport Company Mohmmad Yousf Sheikh too.”
PDP vice-president Sartaj Madni said, “A group of transporters on Friday met me regarding the shifting of Batamaloo Bus Stand to Parimpora, I told them to give me a time of one day and I will discuss the issue with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.”