Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18: Expressing serious concern over the restrictions being imposed on peaceful public protests across the State, the CPI (M) State secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today alleged the State was repressing channels of disagreement in a democratic set up.
Addressing Chenani Nashiri tunnel project workers at Nashri in Batote, the CPI (M) leader said that by scrutinizing workers’ protests, limiting and controlling them in a variety of ways and the Government’s policy to use repressive means to stifle dissent within a liberal democracy has unfortunately become a routine occurrence in the State.
Tarigami said some companies recruit and terminate the poor workers unlawfully. “These poor workers are recruited after asking them to sign on an affidavit having unreasonable conditions. When they protest against the violation of their rights, they are terminated without serving any prior notice to them.”
Stating that there seems to be a systematic and routine violation of labour laws in Jammu and Kashmir, he underscored need for strict implementation of regulations guaranteeing protection to labour class in the State. The CPI (M) leader lamented that labourers are enduring minimum wages and overtime violations, hazardous working conditions, discrimination, and retaliation for speaking up or trying to organize.
General Secretary CITU Om Prakash also addressed the workers rally. He impressed upon the companies to give priority to locals on the project. He also demanded compensation to local population whose residential houses have been damaged due to blasting in the area. In his address CITU leader Sham Prasad Kesar stressed that the work on tunnel project be undertaken in four shifts instead of three and safety measures be adopted at the workplace. Four Lane Tunnel Workers Union leaders Arshid Malik and Rashid Malik also spoke on the occasion.
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