States » NorthPosted at: Oct 30 2026 8:58PM


“What fault have our people committed?” J&K Minister Sakina Itoo flags convoy curbs on Kashmir highway

Srinagar, Oct 30 (UNI) J&K Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday voiced concern over the hardships faced by commuters on the National Highway in south Kashmir during security convoy movement.
She described the sight of stranded ambulances as “deeply distressing” .
The Minister for Health and Medical Education Department, Itoo, said she travels on the Srinagar–Anantnag–Kulgam–Qazigund National Highway frequently and sees ambulances stranded, students missing classes and ordinary citizens waiting 15 to 30 minutes, and sometimes hours, for convoys to pass.
“What fault have our people committed to endure such hardships?” she asked in a post on X.
She urged the Lieutenant Governor’s office and the authorities concerned to explore traffic management measures that preserve essential security protocols while ensuring uninterrupted passage for ambulances and minimising public inconvenience.
“Security is paramount, but so is the well-being of our people. Security and compassion must go hand in hand,” she said. She added that governance should be reflected “not just in policies, but in the everyday lives of citizens through dignity, sensitivity and meaningful relief.”
The restrictions on civilian traffic during security convoy movement were imposed after the Pulwama suicide bombing in February 2019 when a local suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into CRPF bus at Lethpora leaving 40 personnel of the force dead. The Pulwama attack had brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
Since the attack, civilian traffic has not been allowed during convoy movement.
The issue was also raised in Parliament by Srinagar Member Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi in 2024. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth while responding to Mehdi's question said convoys move regularly between Jammu and Srinagar for operational and administrative reasons. He said the Army follows detailed procedures with “due emphasis on friendly move of the populace.”
The minister said Road Opening Parties are sent ahead of any security forces convoy, owing to security reasons and to thwart attacks or ambushes like those of the past. Traffic is “regulated, temporarily,” particularly where lateral roads meet NH 44 and at U-turns.
The reply stated that the Indian Army does not harass or stop civil movement on the highway, and that regulating civilian traffic is the charter of the State authorities and J&K Police. It also said ambulances “are always accorded priority for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by Security Forces.”
The MP had called the Ministry’s response “full of blatant lies” and shared videos on X in which security forces were seen stopping civilian vehicles .
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Tags: #“What fault have our people committed?” J&K Minister Sakina Itoo flags convoy curbs on Kashmir highway
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