Uproar in J&K Assembly Over Lathi Charge, Detention of Protesting Daily Wagers
Jammu, Mar 11, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Tuesday as legislators across party lines raised concerns over the lathi charge and detention of protesting daily wage employees of the Jal Shakti (PHE) department, who were demanding the release of their pending wages and regularisation of their jobs.
As soon as the House convened for the day, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa highlighted the large-scale protests by daily wagers, condemning the police action against them. Several BJP members supported Randhawa, urging the government to address the issue at the earliest.
National Conference leaders Mir Saifullah and B A Veeri, along with Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, also voiced their concerns over the matter. Despite Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather’s repeated appeals for order, the agitated legislators continued to raise the issue, leading to a noisy session.
On Monday, scores of Jal Shakti department daily wagers were lathi-charged and detained in Jammu and Srinagar as they attempted to march towards the Assembly and the Chief Minister’s residence. The workers have been waiting for their pending wages, which have accumulated over 85 months, and have accused the administration of failing to fulfil repeated assurances regarding their regularisation.
The protesters have warned of an indefinite strike from March 20 if their demands are not met. They recalled that last year’s prolonged agitation also failed to yield results, despite multiple rounds of negotiations with top officials.
Accusing the government of apathy, the daily wagers stated that while assurances have been made time and again, no concrete measures have been taken to resolve their grievances.
