Food Security Act: Protest near LoC in Kupwara

Hundreds of people today took out a march near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district against the implementation of National Food Security Act, which has become a bone of contention in Kashmir despite assurance by the authorities that the law would benefit the people of the state.
The border residents of Keran had recently threatened to cross the LoC to get foodgrains if the authorities implemented the Act, alleging that the move will deprive them of adequate ration.
Nearly 1,000 people took out a procession near the LoC in Keran sector this afternoon, chanting slogans demanding immediate withdrawal of the order for implementation of the National Food Security Act in the state, a police officer said.

He said the marchers were stopped near the LoC and were persuaded to disperse.
Last month, the residents of Tangdhar took out a similar march but were persuaded by the Army to disperse, assuring that their concerns with regard to the NFSA will be addressed.
The authorities have repeatedly been assuring the people that the Act is in their benefit as it will guarantee ration to the people in the priority category - more than 60 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir's population.
People in other parts of the Valley had also staged demonstrations, demanding revocation of the Act under which each family member will get five kgs of rice per month instead of 35 kgs per family, irrespective of the number of members enlisted in a ration card.