Muslim migrants demand enhancement of cash relief, support dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 8: All Kashmiri Muslim Migrants Committee, Jammu today extended full support to their brethren who are on dharna at Jagti township and in front of Relief Commissioner’s Office here demanding enhancement of cash relief.
“The demand is fully justified and we extend full support to it’’, president of the Committee Sheikh Fida Hussain along with his vice president Nazir Ahmed Lone told reporters here.
He criticized the Government for not paying any heed to the demand of the migrants sitting on dharna and chain hunger strike for over last one month now. He urged the Government to redress the genuine grievances of migrants from Kashmir Valley without further delay.
Sheikh also made an appeal to the Government not to furnish any information to any RTI activist regarding the Muslim migrants from Kashmir Valley putting up at Jammu as refugees in the interests of their security.
He said Muslim migrants played a vital role in keeping the banner of secularism unfurled and maintaining the sanctity of the Indian Constitution in Kashmir Valley. In case any information is furnished to RTI activists it should be done only after CID verification of the said activist. In case the said RTI activist is found involved in any militant activity then case should be registered against him and information be denied, he added.
Sheikh demanded that relief be enhanced to Rs 20,000 per month. He also demanded a proper representation to Muslim migrants in Apex Committee and quarters be also allotted to Muslim migrants at Jagti, Muthi and Purkhoo as they too are facing many hardships and problems.
He also urged the Government not to entertain any anonymous complaint against Muslim migrants and get such persons identified for security reasons.
Meanwhile the dharna and chain hunger strike launched by All Kashmiri Migrants Relief holders at Jagti township entered 44th and 16th day respectively. The protestors are demanding increase of relief to Rs 120 per member per day.
The protestors warned that in case the decision regarding the enhancement of relief was not taken in first Cabinet meeting at Srinagar the relief holders dharna can take an ugly turn.