Police Stop Kashmiri Pandits’ Protest March in Jammu Against NFSA Integration of Migrant Ration Cards

Jammu, May 6, KNT: Police on Wednesday stopped a protest march by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community who attempted to move toward the office of the Relief Commissioner in Jammu while raising demands related to rehabilitation, relief assistance and ration benefits.

The protesters, all Kashmiri migrants, assembled in Jammu and staged a demonstration against the reported integration of migrant ration cards with the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The protesters demanded that the NFSA mechanism should not be applied to Kashmiri migrants until they are permanently rehabilitated in Kashmir.

“Apply NFSA only after settling us permanently in Kashmir,” several protesters were heard raising during the demonstration.

The protesters also demanded enhancement of the monthly relief package and concrete steps for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Police personnel intercepted the march before the protesters could proceed toward the Relief Commissioner’s office. The protest, however, continued peacefully under police presence.

One protester, while criticizing the Central Government and the BJP, said the community had expected stronger rehabilitation measures after 2014.

“We believed the government at the Centre would understand our pain and help in our rehabilitation, but we feel ignored,” the protester said.

The protesting migrants alleged that successive promises regarding return, rehabilitation and welfare measures had not translated into permanent solutions on the ground. [KNT]