Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: The relief holders staged a demonstration at the premises of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner’s Office, here, today to protest against the recent decision of issuing ration coupons on monthly basis discarding the prevailing process of issuing the ration books on yearly basis.
The protestors raising slogans in support of their demand and against the decision demanded immediate revocation of the order failing which they will be forced to intensify agitation besides taking legal recourse.
For the relief holders, this alteration in policy was not acceptable, as it could have significant implications for their livelihood and daily sustenance, said the protestors.
The protesters alleged that they were barred from entering the main gate of the office premises as authorities had deployed police to stop the protestors entering into the Office complex.
Several KP leaders lend their support to the relief holders’ cause. Kuldeep Kashmiri, the working president of the All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPC), Bharat Kachroo social activist, Vision Kashmir president, Sunil Fotedar, Ravinder Koul president over aged youth and others addressed the protestors.
Following the protest a delegation comprising six individuals, led by Kuldeep Kashmiri, was granted an audience by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, Dr Arvind Karwani to engage in dialogue and negotiate a resolution. This gesture demonstrated a willingness on the part of the authorities to address the concerns raised by the relief holders and potentially reconsider the recent decision, a handout issued by the relief holders said.
Ex MLC Bhushan Lal Bhat, senior Congress leader ,Hira Lal Pandita, Comrade ML Raina, Sunil Pandita and Tej Dhar also extended their support to the demand and participated in the protest.
In the light of the ongoing developments, the All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPC) reaffirmed its commitment to standing alongside the relief holders in their pursuit of justice and fairness.
A spokesman of the organisation said that organisation will fully back the cause of relief holders and will work to bring all KP organisations on one platform over this as well as other burning issues of displaced Pandits who are unnecessarily being subjected to harassment and humiliation by the authorities.
The AIKPC spokesman said that his organisation favours settling all issues through dialogue but the authorities are provoking them to resort to agitation.
Rahul Handoo, LS candidate for Srinagar and JKNUS leader has fully supported the relief holder’s demand and said he will take the issue to the court of law.
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