A shutdown was observed in Maisuma localaity of after police allegedly fired tear-smoke shells on female protesters who were protesting against the implementation of “controversial” National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Jammu and Kashmir. At least two women suffered injuries.Eyewitnesses told CNS that female protesters assembled near Budshah Bridge and blocked the vehicular movement. Some women also blocked the traffic on Amira Kadal by placing wooden logs in the middle of the bridge.Amid anti-administration slogans the protesters demanded immediate roll back of the contentious Act.
Witnesses said that police used tear gas shells to control the protests resulting in the injuries of two female protesters. The police action sparked shutdown in Maisuma locality where shopkeepers downed their shutters.A police official said that no tear smoke shells were fired upon the protesters.Meanwhile, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Chairman Muhammad Yasin Khan while condemning the police action on women protesters said that, “it was shame for the government that the women who were demanding their right to get genuine share in ration were fed with batons and teargas.”“A government which is intolerant to peaceful protests for food has no right to exist in a democratic setup.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Kashmir, the DC are answerable as to how come brute force was used on the women who were staging peaceful protests,” Khan said.He said the KEA upholds public sentiment against the implementation of the food bill. “This controversial food bill is one of the misgivings of the previous regime, which is again taking to power and we will fight for its revocation tooth and nail,” Khan said.Khan said police action on women was no less than attempt to molestation and that the Governor NN Vohra must personally look into the matter and take examplenary action against the guilty officials.“Use of muscle power on innocent women in condemnable in every sensible setup and thus condemn this barbaric action,” Khan said. (CNS)