Srinagar, May 10 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Casual and Daily Wagers Forum, an amalgam of various associations of daily wagers Tuesday said that the forum would Gherao the Civil Secretariat on May 24 and in different districts on different dates against the failure of government for not fulfilling their demands.
Addressing a news conference here at local hotel, forum chairman, Sajad Ahmad Parray said that the scheduled protest on May 24 would also test the patience of the PDP-led government.
“During previous regime, whenever our protests were foiled and we were beaten, the current regime used to strongly condemn the police action,” said Parray.
“Every news paper was flooded by the condemnation wherein PDP castigated the then Omar-led government for using force against us. Now as the Mehbooba led government is in state, let us see whether we are allowed to hold peaceful protest or beaten up,” he added.
The association is pressing for the framing of policy for the regularization of daily wagers engaged from 1994 to till date.
"The employees will go for secretariat Gherao to press the government for the regularization of daily wagers, casual laborers, seasonal, temporary workers and against the dilly- dallying policy of the government towards this issue," he added and appealed to all categories of daily wagers to participate in the protest.
Parray, who was flanked by president of various daily wager’s associations, threatened to intensify protests in case government tried to sabotage their secretariat gherao.
"We will intensify the agitation if the government uses force or does not heed to the demands and the whole responsibility of that will lie on the government," he added.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He said that protests would be held at district headquarters and memorandum of demands would be presented to the respective deputy commissioners.
“On May 14 protests would be held in Budgam, On May 16 Bandipora, On May 17 Ganderbal, On May 18 Baramulla and on May 19 Anantnag (Islamabad),” he said.
He said that in case government fails to meet their demand, they would launch anti-PDP campaign in Kashmir during the upcoming Panchayti and Municipal polls.
“Haseeb Drabu, Finance Minister had assured several times that the government would frame a policy for daily wagers and casual employees but unfortunately nothing was done in this regard,” he said.
He said that the previous government had also set up high power committee and the only step left for regularization was cabinet approval. “I urge successive regimes to not exploit us anymore.”
“We are demanding regularization of all daily wagers, casual labors all temporary employees and KGBV teachers,” he added.
“We have been charged with batons, detained and our peaceful protest marches were foiled by using teargas shelling. Earlier, PDP as an opposition party was condemning use of force against us. Now, as the party is in power, let us see if it changes it ideology and syllabus on the subject (Use of force),” said Parray.
Appealing mainstream political parties, pro-freedom parties and traders body to support them against not fulfilling their demands. (KNS)