SRINAGAR: A bus driver was today allegedly beaten up by CRPF personnel here, leading to clashes and suspension of traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for several hours, officials said.
Firdous Ahmad Bhat had been signalled to halt his mini- bus near the Pantha Chowk bypass at Lasjan here, but did so only several metres ahead.
After being beaten up by the miffed CRPF personnel, he protested by parking his vehicle in the middle of the road.
Bhat was soon joined by other drivers and pedestrians who demanded action against the personnel, the officials said.
The protest caused a massive traffic jam on the highway with a security convoy and the tail of another convoy carrying Amarnath pilgrims from Baltal to Jammu getting stuck.
After senior officers failed to persuade the protesters to lift the road blockade, police swung into action and resorted to a baton charge to disperse them, the officials said.
The police also fired a few teargas shells to disperse them. The officials said the traffic on the highway was restored around 12 noon after the protesters were chased away. The driver, who suffered injuries in the beating, was shifted to SMHS hospital and his condition is stated to be stable, the officials said.