The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a ruckus on Tuesday as members across party lines condemned the lathi charge and detention of protesting daily wage employees from the Jal Shakti department. These employees were demanding the release of pending wages and regularization of jobs.
BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa raised the issue, highlighting the police action against the protesters, and was supported by several BJP members. National Conference members Mir Saifullah and B A Veeri, along with Congress’ Nizamuddin Bhat, also voiced their concerns. Despite the Speaker’s request to proceed with the Question Hour, the members continued to raise the issue, leading to noisy scenes.
The protests were held in Jammu and Srinagar, with scores of workers marching towards the Assembly and the chief minister’s residence. The protesters have threatened to go on strike from March 20 if their demands are not met. This is not the first time the daily wagers have held protests; last year, they organized long strikes demanding the release of pending wages and regularization of jobs, but their issues remain unresolved.
