RAMBAN, JUNE 20: Police detained at least five persons for trying to block the vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway during a protest demonstration against the alleged artificial shortage of judicial and non-judicial stamp papers created by the local vendors.
 The protestors were raising slogans against district administration, which accordingly to them was unmoved to grave problems being faced by the local residents due to the severe shortage of stamp papers.
 Eyewitnesses said that large number of people had assembled at the District Court Complex Ramban today to purchase stamp papers which were to be annexed with an application form sought by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department from non-ration card holders.
 Though some of the applicants managed to get the stamp papers others had to return empty handed due to the shortage of the papers.
 Eyewitnesses said that some local leaders rushed to the spot and took out a protest demonstration accusing the district administration of being hand in glove with the vendors, who have allegedly created artificial shortage of the stamp papers in the district.
 The protestors moved towards the highway and tried to block the vehicular movement. However, police immediately swung into action and disperse the mob.
 Taking serious note of stamp paper shortages and strong public protests, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Shabir Ahmed Bhat ordered exemption of the affidavit for the applications from the new ration cards seekers.
 The DDC told Greater Kashmir that he has directed the CAPD to entertain the application forms with affidavits.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST