Srinagar: Terming the killing of truckers as an attack on the economy and livelihood of the people, J&K police chief Dilbag Singh on Saturday said the investigation into such cases was underway and that the police have got important clues. “Investigation into cases of killing of truckers is on and some important clues are available with us about the cases. This is an attack on the local economy and livelihood of people. It is being done to disrupt the daily life of the people.
“Such actions are not in the interest of the people. To a large extent people are condemning such acts. Our investigation is in an advance stage.... We have identified the people involved,” Singh told reporters here.
He said the attacks on truckers and damage to power transmission towers in Shopian district of south Kashmir by militants were to disrupt horticulture and tourism that provide livelihood to people in Kashmir.
“Attacking towers is also an attempt to cause damage to the infrastructure. We have taken some steps in these areas. I am hopeful that soon this case will be cracked and people involved will be brought to book,” he said.
Terrorists on Thursday struck for the third time in 10 days in south Kashmir’s militancy-hit Shopian district killing two non-Kashmiri truck drivers, who had gone to ferry loads of apples. The terrorists had also torched two of the trucks.
On October 14, two terrorists, including a suspected Pakistani national, shot dead the driver of a truck having Rajasthan registration and assaulted an orchard owner in Shopian district. Two days later, Punjab-based apple trader Charanjeet Singh was killed and another injured when terrorists attacked them in Shopian district.
The DGP said the security forces have taken steps to provide security to fruit traders. “Our first priority is to help people associated with apple trade. Steps have already been taken and wherever people need us...security arrangements have been made. It is not possible to cover all areas especially in the interiors, but majority of the areas that could be covered have been secured,” he said.
