Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR Feb 6: Traders Association Kishtwar led by its president Bharat Bushan Gupta held a strong protest outside the office of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar demanding release of compensation in favour of August 9 Kishtwar communal riots victims’. The victims along with traders displaying the plea cards demanding release of compensation. The protestors also blocked the main road outside DC office for nearly 45 minutes.
As soon as the protestors blocked the road, SHO police Station Kishtwar Sameer Geelani rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the agitators and pursued them to hold talks with administration, but the protestors turned down the offer. Later Dy. SP HQ Kishtwar Nazir Ahmed Ganie and Additional SP Kishtwar also rushed to the spot and pacified the agitating riot victims. The protesting victims only agreed to call off the protest after assurance from Additional SP Kishtwar who was a member of the verification promises that their concern is being looked into and they sought time till February 9. The riot victims also refused to meet DC Kishtwar and protested against his attitude.
President Trader Association Kishtwar, Bharat Bushan Gupta while addressing the media persons said that the Association has decided to hold today’s protest to warn the government and district administration Kishtwar to release the compensation in favour of the riot hit victims whose property and business establishments were set on fire by unruly mobs during Kishtwar communal violence.
He said that even after six months of the incident, the administration failed to release compensation in favour of the poor victims. He said that District administration has also prepared a detailed list of the victims and their losses and added that the same was uploaded on official website of district Kishtwar by the administration. He said that Association did not want any confrontation with the administration or the Government and is only demanding the releases of compensation in favour of the riot victims who are being harassed on the name of verification.
Meanwhile, the riot victims threatened to sit on dharna along with their families and children in case the administration failed to release compensation in next two days.
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