Baramulla: Employees of the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) department here staged a protest demanding stern action against those who attacked their Assistant Director and other staff Tuesday.
Following the protest and complaint by the Assistant Director, police arrested four persons allegedly involved in a physical assault on the district officer and his subordinate staff.
Protesting employees told reporters that a delegation from Khushhalpora Channad led by one Mohammad Subhan Wani and a so-called journalist Ghulam Hussan visited the office of Assistant Director demanding that they should be supplied ration through a sale centre instead of a fair price shop at Channad.
“After hearing the delegation, I told them that there are court directions in this matter which can’t be overruled. But they did not listen, and instead hurled abuses and resorted to manhandling me and my employees,” said Assistant Director Sheikh Tariq.
“They held us hostage and tore the clothes of my employees. Later the police came to the spot for our rescue and took some persons into custody,” he added.
Soon after the incident, employees of the department and a union led by district vice-president Fair Price Shops of Baramulla staged protest demonstrations. The protesters demanded immediate action against the culprits as warranted under law.
They also alleged that the violent incident had been carried out at the behest of one ‘facebook journalist’ running AAP news page from Chandan Sopore. The protesters alleged that the so-called journalist incited violent incidents and instigated the general public against the department officials in various areas of Baramulla district in order to fulfill his ulterior motives. They also sought police action against the accused.
The protesters announced a pen-down strike till the case against the attackers is taken to its logical conclusion. “There would be no distribution of ration at fair price shops and other sale centres in Baramulla till the police take a strict action against the culprits,” the protesters announced.
When contacted SHO Baramulla, Showkat Ahmad informed that police have registered FIR in the matter and have arrested four accused also. “We have already started investigations into the complaint,” he added.
