Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: More political and social organizations have expressed their resentment over the statement of Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha for saying no salary will be paid to package and reserved category employees for sitting at home.
Taking serious note of the statement Pradesh Congress Committee, Migrants chairman Hira Lal Pandita and its general secretary Chuni Lal Kandi termed the statement unfortunate and said that this way the LG has no guess of ground situation in the Valley where minority employees are facing threats day in and day out. “They said on the one hand the Government is not in a position to provide foolproof security to these employees nor has provided accommodations to them in last over 10 years and on the other hand they are making them scapegoats by forcing them to join their duties in Valley where they have no security to their lives.
Pandita said it is the duty of the State to protect the lives of its subjects but the present Government with its coercive policies is shirking its responsibility. Pandita warned that Congress will make it main issue during the Bharat Jodo yatra of Rahul Gandhi to J&K next month and it will also hold protest in Union Capital till the demand of hapless employees is settled.
Panun Kashmir (PK) convener, Dr Agnishekar has also expressed his concern over the stand taken by UT Government on the package employees and urged it to concede the demand of both package and category employees. He demanded till situation becomes normal in Kashmir they be adjusted outside Valley. He termed LG’s statement unfortunate saying that these employees have not come to get salary while sitting at home. Under BJP Government targeted killings still continue. He said it is the duty of LG to provide security and ensure safety of these employees. When administration is not safe in Valley who move under high security cover how can be these hapless employees who belong to a community which became the main target of terrorists since 1989.
ADKUF president, P L Sudeshi, general secretary, Prem Nath Rina, chief advisor, Prof G L Koul and other leaders have also shown their dismay over the statement of LG and demanded immediate release of salaries to package employees,. They appealed all KP organizations to get united for a long drawn battle as present Government has totally betrayed them.
Sunil Pandita social activist has also expressed his concern over the statement and said that the community will not allow these employees to be made scapegoats.