Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: To protest against the failure of Government to enhance the cash assistance, the migrant relief holders and overaged youth today took out a rally from Relief Commissioner’s Office to Press Club.
Besides the senior leaders of Kashmiri Pandit community, the rally was also attended by relief holders from camps and non camp localities including a sizeable number of women.
With banners and pla-cards in their hands the rallyists were shouting slogans in support of their demand. In order to thwart the relief holders bid to take out the procession the police tried to stop them at Relief Commissioner’s office by closing the gate and raising the barricades. It also resorted to mild cane charge but the protestors jostled with the police and proceeded ahead.
Later a scuffle ensued on Canal road near Irrigation Office where police again resorted to mild cane charge but the agitated relief holders squatted on the road and disrupted the movement of vehicular traffic for over 15 minutes.
Later police allowed the protestors to proceed towards the Press Club and hold the demonstration, which besides the relief holders was also addressed by senior leaders of the community.
The leaders of Muslim migrants also participated in the protest rally.
Addressing the demonstrators the speakers came down heavily on the Central Government for maintaining a stoic silence on the proposal submitted to it by State Government regarding enhancement of cash relief to migrants over six months back.
They said the callous attitude of the authorities who are at the helm of affairs has multiplied the sufferings of the displaced people from Valley and has forced them to come to streets. They said the relief holders are on dharna for last 137 days
demanding enhancement of cash relief in view of the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities but it is shocking that the Central Government has put the proposal to backburner. This shows that Government is not sincere in mitigating their problems, they added.
They said instead of providing healing touch to the community the Government policies are aimed at providing heating touch to displaced people from Valley.
The protestors warned that in case further delay was made in enhancement of relief they will be forced to intensify the agitation.
They appealed the Government to expedite the enhancement of relief and show humanistic approach towards them. They also urged the Central Government to show the will in responding to the problems being faced by the exiled community.
Meanwhile, various KP organizations have condemned the police action on migrants.
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