Indian authorities asked to release truck driver

We don’t even know what condition he is in. We demand his immediate release,” says drivers brother.

MUZAFFARABAD:

Traders, transporters and others on Thursday staged a protest rally against the Indian-held Kashmir administration for not releasing a truck driver who has been in their detention since January 17.

Both sides allowed the detained truck drivers to cross the line of control (LoC) on Wednesday, but authorities in Indian-held Kashmir did not release truck driver Muhammad Shafiq Awan, who is facing drug smuggling charges.

The protesters, who marched from the Assembly Secretariat to the Central Press Club, were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans such as “release the innocent driver” and “stop trade on human bodies”.

Awan’s brother, who was also participating in the protest rally, said that his brother was innocent and nothing was known about his whereabouts. “We don’t even know what condition he is in. We demand his immediate release,” he said.

“We appeal both Islamabad and Delhi to help get him released on humanitarian grounds, as his children and ailing parents are in distress,” said a trader while talking to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2014.