MANSEHRA: Transporters observed a wheel jam strike here on Tuesday in protest against the tehsil municipal administration, Mansehra, for building commercial plazas and centres on the van terminal’s land.

“This terminal was initially inaugurated over 52 kanals, but over time it has now been reduced to 20 kanals as the TMA has constructed commercial buildings on its land and also allotted space to buses here in violation of an agreement,” said Jan Alam, president of Wagon Owners Association, while addressing the protesting transporters and drivers.

The transporters, who gathered at the terminal being used by the vans for various destinations, raised slogans in against the TMA.

“This terminal was allocated only for use of the vans commuting between Mansehra and parts of Hazara division, Punjab and Islamabad, but the TMA in breach of its agreement with us allowed buses to park here after which it mostly remains blocked,” said Mr Alam.

Speaking on the occasion, Wagon Owners Association general secretary Pervez Khan Swati said if the TMA didn’t relocate buses to some other place and vacate the land they would observe a complete wheel jam strike.

The passengers waiting to depart for parts of the country remained stuck for hours at the terminal because of the strike. The situation compelled tehsil municipal officer Danish Iqbal to reach the spot and hold talks with the transporters.

They ended the strike after Mr Iqbal announced that a meeting would be held with the transporters’ representatives on Thursday (tomorrow) to discuss their issues.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2021