Government forces ruthlessly beat up five milk van drivers in Newa area of Pulwama in south Kashmir early Sunday while they were heading towards Srinagar with a supply to the hospitals.
The beating was so intense that one of the drivers, identified as Sajad Ahmad, had to be admitted at a hospital with a broken arm.
The drivers who had left from SIDCO Lasispora Pulwama said a large deployment of army and paramilitary CRPF men stopped them in Newa at around 2:30 am and without asking any questions started thrashing them ruthlessly.
“They dragged all of us from our driving seats and started beating us with bamboo sticks and gun butts as soon as we revealed out identity,” said an injured driver.
They injured drivers – who work with Haleeb Milk Supply Scheme, Zam Zam and Nyamat – were identified as Sajad Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad, Hilal Ahmad, Tariq Ahmad and Nisar Ahmad.
President of SIDCO Lassipora Truck Union, Manzoor Ahmad said the drivers were made to crawl at least 400 meters and were beaten with gun butts, bamboo sticks and jackboots.
“The torture lasted for around one hour and it only stopped when the forces were satisfied that they can’t move on their own. They were told to go back. One of the drivers called us and we took them to the hospital in critical condition,” said Manzoor.
He said that at around 3:45 am all the five drivers were moved to District Hospital Pulwama in critical condition.
“Let the government come clear whether they want us to supply milk to hospitals and civilian areas or not,” asked Manzoor.