Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Dec 2: Protest by disengaged Casual Labours of Municipal Committee Katra for continuation of their services and release of pending salary for 38 months, took ugly turn when five protesters attempted mass suicide by consuming poisonous substance in full public view during their demonstration, here today.
The aggrieved labours were rushed to Katra hospital where doctors referred them to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for advanced treatment. “They have been admitted in Emergency Ward and condition of all of them is now out of danger and stable,” said Dr Ravinder Ratanpal, Superintendent of GMC Hospital Jammu.
In this connection, Police has registered a case FIR number 192/2015, under Section 309,147 RPC at Katra Police Station.
According to SSP Reasi, Sujit Kumar, the protesting Casual Labours were intercepted by Police at Asia Chowk in Katra town when they were marching towards the office of Shrine Board. As SDM, Tehsildar, ASP Katra and some senior officers of CRPF tried to persuade the protesters, five of them consumed Phenyl amidst raising of slogans against the Shrine Board and Katra Municipal Committee, he added.
The attempt of mass suicide triggered tension in the Katra town as other protesting workers continued their demonstration till the evening and disrupted traffic in the area.
Identity of the five labourers, who consumed poison, was established as Sohan Chand (27), son of Krishan Singh, resident of Hansali Katra, Parshotam Singh (34), son of Mohan Singh of Ward number 7 in Katra, Mohan Lal (37)), son of Ram Lal of Naley Katra, Kulbant Singh (30), son of Ram Ditta of Bhagta Katra and Mohan Kumar (26), son of Sandokhu of Ward number 11, Katra.
Victim Sohan Chand is also president of the union of these protesting employees, who are demanding their pending salary for 38 months and continuation of their service.
Pertinent to mention that these Casual Labours were working as Need Based employees with the Katra Municipal Committee but their services were disengaged following a Government order by GAD on March 17, 2015.
“Their issues of pending salary and continuation of services has been taken up with the Government as well as the Shrine Board since the order for disengagement of all Need Based workers across the State was issued by the Government while huge money in crores of rupees is required for clearance of their pending salary,” explained Soujanya Sharma, Director of the Local Bodies, while talking to the Excelsior.
In continuation of their frequent protests in support of the demands, around 200 aggrieved workers assembled this morning at Katra town and after holding a protest demonstration, marched towards the Municipality office where no staff member was purportedly present. Thereafter, they proceeded towards Shrine Board office and were intercepted at Asia Chowk where the extreme step was taken by five of the protesters.
Police said that the protesting Casual Labours were carrying Phenyl bottles and had been saying that they would consume it if their demands were not conceded. They were particularly upset over breach of promise by the Municipal officials, who had assured to arrange their meeting today with top officers in connection with their demands, Police said.
However, some eyewitness told the Excelsior that a Police officer provoked the protesting workers to consume the poisonous substance as he mocked at their act of carrying phenyl bottles and threat of committing suicide.
After the incident of mass suicide attempt, the protest continued till Deputy Director Local Bodies, Mohd Bashir Lone personally met the agitating workers and assured their meeting with Director Local Bodies and other top officers for positive consideration of their demands.
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