Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 6: Demonstrations filled the streets of Ganderbal today as casual labourers from the Forest Department rallied to demand the release of their wages, which have languished them unpaid for over five months.
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The protestors gathered outside the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Ganderbal, their frustration palpable as they sought answers to their predicament.
According to eyewitnesses, scores of these workers were reportedly ousted from the DFO’s office, where they had maintained a peaceful protest for several months.
Expressing their anguish, Fayaz Ahmad, one of the labourers, spoke up, stating, “The salary lies in the DFO’s account, yet it remains unreleased, causing us and our families undue suffering. We have resorted to peaceful protests, urging the DFO to expedite the release of our wages.”
After months of tenacious protests within the DFO’s office premises, the workers, who have seemingly been removed from their duties, were finally ejected when the police locked down the office. One protester lamented, “This compelled us to take our protest to the streets, as, thus far, we have been met with nothing but empty promises.”
Fayaz Ahmad Khatana, another worker, recounted their efforts to resolve the issue with the DFO. “When we raised the matter with the concerned DFO, we were assured that the issue would be resolved promptly. We were urged to maintain a peaceful protest, with promises of resolution. However, it appears they are adopting delaying tactics, leaving us grappling with hardships while our families bear the brunt.”
The protesting workers are now calling upon the authorities, including the district administration, to intervene in the matter urgently and take the necessary steps to ensure the release of their pending salaries. Additionally, they are advocating for their reinstatement to their previous positions.
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