Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 6: At least half a dozen State Government employees were injured in police lathi-charge and over 150 arrested, as a strong contingent of police and para-military forces foiled their protest march and Civil Secretariat `Gherao’ programme in the winter capital city here today.
The employees from various Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), under the banner of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an apex body of employees’ representatives from all the three regions, led by senior trade unionists Abdul Qayoom Wani, Mohd Khursheed Alam, Mohd Gafoor Dar, Kulwant Singh, Sayeda Ladkhai, Ganesh Khajuria, Amrik Singh, Nazir Ahmed and others assembled at Exhibition Ground near Press Club in the morning.
The employees in different groups led by their leaders arrived at the identified venue from various directions, tehsils and the districts. A large number of employees from Kashmir, Leh, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch etc had already arrived in the city last night. A large number of PSU workers led by Gafoor Dar and others also joined them at 10.30 am. They were carrying banners and placards depicting their demands and shouting slogans against the Government.
The agitating employees held strong demonstration for about an hour and raised loud slogans in support of their demands. Several trade union leaders also addressed the gathering and strongly criticized the Government for not resolving the pending issues of the State employees.
Mr Wani in his address criticised the Government for not honouring the commitment made with the employees leaders. He said the Government was given sufficient time to resolve the pending issues but there was no action on the demands like regularization of daily rated/casual/ consolidated employees, removal of pay anomalies, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years etc. He said the employees are forced to come out on the roads to lodge protests and there seems to be no seriousness on the part of Government to act on its own decisions. Mr Wani said JCC will hold its meeting at 3 pm tomorrow to decide next course of action.
Khursheed Alam while strongly condemning the Government attitude said that the employees will continue their struggle till their demands are addressed. He said the employees do not believe in confrontation but this Government has every time forced the employees to come out on the roads and stage protest. He appealed the employees to remain united for their common cause.
Mohd Gafoor Dar said as per already announced programme of JCC, the employees from various departments will observe ‘Kaam Chorh’ Hartal and stage protest- dharna at their respective offices tomorrow. He said the strike will be observed in all the tehsils and districts in three regions of the State. He said that similar protests were also held at various districts by employees today.
After their speeches as the employees moved towards Gumat, Shalamar Road and Civil Secretariat, the police force led by senior officers stopped them at Lower Gumat just near Dogra Chowk. The employees strongly resisted the police action and tried to break barriers. The police then resorted to lathi-charge on the employees. The Lady police had tough time in dealing with trade unionists- Sayeda Ladkhai from Ladakh unit of JCC and Shahzadi Gill from JMC Union. The police then detained nearly 150 employees and their leaders, packed them in buses and shifted to District Police Lines Gandhinagar. They were, however, let off in the evening. They continued their protest and slogans in the lawns of DPL.
About half a dozen employees injured in police action are- Sayeda Ladakhi, Qayoom Wani, Shamim Bazaz, Shamas Din, Dr Manzoor, G M Pandit and Ghulam Rasool Bhat.
Tomorrow, the employees will observe strike and hold protest dharnas at their respective offices on the call given by JCC leadership.
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