Kakapora residents protest in Srinagar

SRINAGAR — The residents of Oukhoo Kakapora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district staged a protest on Monday at Srinagar’s Press Enclave and demanded revocation of order by Lieutenant Governor-led administration regarding transferring of 80 kanals of irrigation land to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesters chanted pro-justice slogans.

Talking to the media persons, the protesters said, “This land was utilized by our ancestors for irrigation, then in 1967; the government of Jammu and Kashmir provided an irrigation scheme for this land and was used for irrigation purposes till date. This land is bread and butter for over 800 people.”

“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi is serious in his claims and promises about the farmers, then how come it is possible to transfer a huge land, meant for irrigation purpose,” they said.

“We don’t need any compensation. We are dependent on this land. It is impossible to survive for us without this land as there is no option left with us to earn our bread and butter,” they added.

Threatening to intensify their protest, the residents said that in case the order is not revoked, they will continue to hit the streets to press for the demands.

“We appeal Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, LG administration and all concerned authorities to revoke the order at an earliest, so that the locals could heave a sigh of relief,” they said.