Massive protests were held against the recently-implemented National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Monday with the protesters calling for opening of a border outlet with Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Coodination Committee Baramulla, which was recently formed to spearhead the protests against the NFSA, had called for a demonstration today.
The committee comprises traders federation, Gurdwara Prabandhak Committtee and Auqaf committee.
“If India is unable to provide even 400 grams of ration a day (as per WHO) then let them open the border and allow us to fetch rice from across the border,” demanded the protesters.
The controversial, which was implemented in the state on Feb 15, has sparked protests across the length and breadth of the state with protesters calling for its revocation.
“We wonder how the previous government (PDP-BJP coalition govt) passed an anti-people act. They claim to represent us but it is ironical that they have forced hardships on us by impelmenting this Act,” rued a protester.
He said that the government was testing their patience.
“These are diktats that directly come from RSS headquarters but the politcians who claim to represent us follow these diktats,” said another protester.
He said that Kashmir valley was a rice-consuming area just like the south Indian states. “Such schemes are not meant for us, “ he said.
The protesters who had assembled at the Main Chowk Baramulla demanded the “immediate” revocation of the act.
“Later, we are submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. But we want to warn the government that either we are provided as per the old scheme or else they open the border. We can fetch ration from across the border if this government can’t feed us,” warned a member of the Coordination Committee.
