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Kashmiri Pandits stage protest over delay in relief payment in Jammu

Last Updated on September 19, 2021 at 11:25 am

A massive protest was staged by hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits on Saturday at Jagti Township against a delay in the payment of monthly relief.

Officials informed that they attempted to block the Jammu-Srinagar national highway but was foiled by the police. Officials further said that protestors started raising slogans for immediate release of relief payment for August and after coming from Jagti Migrant Camp they came to outskirts of the city and started marching towards a nearby highway.

Shadi Lal Pandita, a member of Jagti Tenement Corporation (JTC) explained that how the families suffered due to Covid-19 lockdowns first and now this delay in relief. Pandita further added that the families, which are dependent on relief, were expecting a raise this year due to inflation but instead of the raise, their whole relief got blocked.

The Kashmiri Pandit Relief Holders Association spokesman said that this was for the first time in the past three decades that there was a delay in the release of monthly relief to the community. He further added that they appeal to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter and ensure early release of the payment.

Additional DC Jammu reached the place later and calmed the protestors. He assured the protestors that the matter will be solved within three four days.

The protestors said that the condition of majority of relief holders is not good as they are not in a position even to arrange the life saving drugs for their ailing family members. Protestors warned to intensify the agitation in case the issue was not solved.