Srinagar, May 04 (KNS): Hitting streets against the district administration for disallowing them from going to Zero point, the sumo drivers Saturday staged a protest near Gagangeer in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, demanding authorities to allow them to Zero point and other tourist places.

Scores of sumo drivers from Ganderbal blocked the road at Gagangeer area and chanted slogans in favour of their demands. The protesters alleged that the district administration was depriving them to earn their livelihood by stopping them from taking their passengers especially tourists to Valley’s prominent tourist destination Sonamarg and zero point.

“The season last for only three months here but the authorities instead of ensuring smooth tourist passage are creating hurdles in our way to earn the livelihood, the protesting sumo drivers alleged, adding that they are being asked is to make a rate list first before ferrying the passengers to tourist places.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

However, the blockade of roads had caused immense hardships to the commuters who urged the administration to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Hashmat Ali told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that sumo drivers seeking permission for heading towards Zero point have been asked to wait for a rate list before ferrying the tourists or other local visitors to zero point or other places.

He said already ADC and other officials are there and are finalizing a rate list. “The drivers will be allowed to ferry tourists and others to zero point after fixing the rate list tomorrow,” he said. (KNS)