Around 10,000 marched towards the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, but were stopped at Chambkote and Chitrakore just a few kilometers shot of zero line at Teethwal.
The implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) has caused an unprecedented security situation near the Line of Control in Kashmir as thousands tried to cross the LoC in Tangdhar sector to seek help from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) on food security.
The intervention by Army has saved the situation from getting out of control. The Army commander managed to persuade the protesters who had refused to listen to civil administration. "The brigade commander of army addressed the crowd and persuaded them not to take the extreme step" an official told NDTV.
Shouting slogans against the PDP and the BJP for implementing the Act in the state, the marchers alleged that food distribution under the NFSA will starve them because they are getting less than half of the rice they used to get under the previous scheme. Rice is the staple food in Kashmir and under NFSA people will get only 5 Kg of rice against 11 to 13 Kg they used to get under the earlier scheme.
Majority of people in Kupwara's Tangdhar village are without farm land and largely dependent on public distribution system. "We want government to roll back the act otherwise we will cross the LoC and administration will be responsible for that," said Bashir Ahmad, a resident.
Around 10,000 people gathered and marched towards the POK. They were stopped at Chambkote and Chitrakore just a few km shot of zero line at Teethwal.
Late in the evening, the district administration agreed to distribute rice and flour as per previous scheme.
"People have agreed to call off the march. This month people in Tangdhar will get ration as per previous scheme. We have also promised them that the government will address their concerns and ensure they get enough rice and flour under NFSA," said Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, SSP Kupwara.