Sumo drivers ‘dying of starvation’ in Shopian

SRINAGAR — Kashmir has been witnessing lockdown virtually since August 05 last year. Our reporter visited the houses of some drivers who are finding it really hard to meet their both ends.

Bilal, a Sumo driver was earning his livelihood by ferrying passengers in his Sumo from Keller to different areas of district Shopian, but due to strike after abrogation of Article 370 and lockdown due to COVID pandemic, his family is at the verge of starvation. His house has developed cracks and is in a dilapidated condition.

“My neighbours are unhappy with me as they feel my house may pose risk to their houses. They want me to repair it, but I am out of pocket and can’t afford anything,” he said while showing every nook and cranny of his dilapidated house.

Bilal’s parents are aged and both are on medication, using life saving drugs. Bilal even can’t afford medicines for them.

Another driver, Parvaiz is sailing in the same boat and like Bilal and Parvaiz, there are scores of other drivers who are facing severe hardships. “I was using my Sumo to sell bananas during lockdown period. Last year, I went into depression after I failed to earn due to government enforced lockdown after the abrogation of Article 370,” Parvez said.

“The situation is very difficult. No one can actually imagine the life that we are living here. Sometimes, I wonder how we are dealing with this,” he says.

Among the other worries that the drivers have is depositing the monthly installments of loans they have taken from banks to purchase their vehicles. “Only a solid financial package can save us from this disaster,” the drivers said in one voice.

“The government should provide a package to bail out Sumo drivers from the hardships they are facing,” said President, Sumo Association Shopian.

“We have already written to the government but there is no response,” he added.