JOIN USFamilies of 27 truck drivers detained by Pakistani authorities across the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday demanded the immediate release of their relatives.
The family members, mostly women, protested outside Baramulla Deputy Commissioner’s office and urged the state and Central governments to ensure early release of their relatives.
The children of the detained drivers, who were part of the protest, appealed to the government to take initiative without any further delay.
Razia Bano, whose husband is one among those detained, told reporters that he is not keeping well and needs medicines. “I am worried about the health and safety of my husband and want his earlier return,” she said.
On January 17, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested Muhammad Shafiq, a driver from Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), at Uri in Baramulla for allegedly carrying more than 100 kg of brown sugar worth Rs 100 crore in his truck.
In retaliation, Pakistani authorities closed the LoC and detained 27 Kashmiri drivers along with their trucks that had crossed over to PoK, demanding the release of Muhammad Shafiq and the truck.