Blatant Lies: Kashmir MP Ruhullah Mehdi Counters Defense Ministry’s Response on Highway Restrictions

Srinagar, Nov 29, KNT: With regard to frequent traffic obstruction on the Srinagar-Anantnag Highway,  Kashmiri Member Parliament and National Conference leader Ruhullah Mehdi Friday termed the response from the Ministery of Defense, Government of India as ‘full of blatant lies’. Ruhullah Mehdi took to social networking site ‘X’ and wrote that he had asked Government of India to stop the harassment of people and blockading of traffic including ambulances on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during security forces convoy movment.

While sharing the response from the Minister of State, Ministry of Defense Sanjay Sethi, Ruhullah Mehdi as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust wrote that the said response is ‘full of blatant lies’. Besides photographs, he also shared some video evidence stating that: “sharing some video evidence in the thread to expose their lies.”

The videos show the ambulances being stopped on the highway by the security forces.

Earlier, the Member Parliament from the Central Kashmir had raised the matter in the Parliament and had sought details about the frequent traffic stoppages on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for Army and paramilitary movements and also whether ambulances are also halted. He had also sought details on actions taken to address this issue and prevent human rights violations.

The two questions of Ruhullah Mehdi were: “Whether it is a fact that the traffic on the highway is stopped multiple times at multiple places at every few kilometres for the army or paramilitary movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway; if so, the details thereof; and whether it is also a fact that not only normal traffic but also the ambulances are also stopped by the security forces; and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to stop this humiliating practice which also violates the human rights?

In a written reply, the MoS, Ministry of Defense Sanjay Sethi informed that: “As part of the drill, regular movement of convoys takes place between Jammu and Srinagar for various operational as well as administrative reasons. The Indian Army follows detailed procedures for the movement of convoys with due emphasis on the friendly move of the populace.”

The Minister further stated that: “Owing to security reasons and to thwart incidents like attack/ambush of convoy in past, Road Opening Parties are sent out prior to the movement of any Security Forces Convoy. Traffic is regulated, temporarily, particularly at points where laterals meet the NH 44 and at U Turns, during the movement of the Army/CAPF convoys.”

And lastly the Minister informed that: “Indian Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the National Highway. The charter of civilian traffic regulation is of the State authorities/Jammu and Kashmir Police. Ambulances are always accorded priority for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by Security Forces.” [KNT]

I asked GoI to stop the harassment of people and blockading of traffic including ambulances on Sgr-Jmu national highway during security forces convoy movement.
This is their response. Full of blatant lies.

Also sharing some video evidence in the thread to expose their lies. pic.twitter.com/wqm3eZ14j7

— Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) November 29, 2024