Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: Expressing their serious concern over delay in ration supply on the occasion of Maha Shivratri falling tomorrow and supply of ration to them as per the scale of National Food Security Act (NFSA) instead of previous scale, the Kashmiri migrants in Jagti, Purkhoo, Muthi and Nagrota camps refused to take ration today and demanded that they be provided free ration till restoration of their homeland to them.
The protestors at Jagti township also tried to block the National Highway at Bypass but their attempt was foiled by police. However they continued the protest in the camp and warned to intensify the agitation.
Not only in Jagti township but displaced Pandits held protest demonstrations in other camps also against the callousness of the government towards them and alleged that this has shown that the government was least bothered for the welfare of the community. The protestors at Jagti and other camps did not accept the ration for the month of February and March saying that government should continue to provide the ration as per old scale and not on the basis of NFSA scale.
“We have been forced to flee from our homeland and have not come on our sweet will’’, said Desh Rattan president AMCCC while talking to Excelsior. “We can’t be classified with other people as we are leading a refugees’ life for last over 26 years’’ he added.
“The Government and Indian State has failed to provide protection to us which it was supposed to do’’, said Vijay Kaul of Jagti Migrant Welfare Committee. “The Government should restore our property and homeland to us by ensuring our rehabilitation with honour and dignity as in last 26 years successive governments played with our self esteem and it will not be tolerated any more now’’, he added.
This has happened for the first time in 27 years of our exile that Pandit migrants were deprived of ration on the occasion of their holy festival, said Shadi Lal president Jagti Tenement Committee and co-convener Congress Migrant Cell. This has happened in the rule of BJP which claims return of good days, he added.
The Pandits continued their protest before the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, R K Pandita who visited the Jagti camp along with Director CAPD. The protestors refused to accept ration as per new scale and made it clear that the old scale should continue as the migrants relief and ration is debited to security related expenses.
The protestors also blocked Highway at Jagti by pass for some time but later dispersed on the intervention of police. They warned to launch agitation after Maha Shivratri against the Government decision and alleged that on one hand the Government has failed to restore their homeland to them and on the other hand it is depriving them of relief benefits. This shows that Kashmiri Pandits have no right to survive in the country, the added.
Sunil Pandita representative of relief holders of Jagti while expressing his dismay accused the community leadership also of its failure in framing a United Front to take on the Government on vital issues concerning the community. He urged the Pandit leaders to sink their differences and instead of seeking representation in committees to come on a single platform and launch a battle for their right to survival which is being snatched by the Government.
The protestors at Purkhoo, Muthi and Nagrota also refused to take ration as per NFSA scale and demanded that the same be given as per old scale. PL Dhar of BJP alleged that Nagrota camp is also facing total water scarcity while president displaced district BJP T N Bhat criticized the authorities for depriving the migrants of ration supply on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
NC Minority Cell has also criticized the Government for depriving the displaced Pandits of ration supply on the occasion of Mahashivratri. The Cell which held a meeting under the leadership of M K Yogi its president urged the Government to give ration to migrants as per old scale and free of cost till their return and rehabilitation in the Valley.
Mr Yogi in an appeal to Governor sought his immediate intervention in the matter saying it is unfortunate that migrants were deprived of ration on the occasion of holy festival.
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