Indian police foiled a protest march of daily wagers and casual labourers associated with Public Health and Water departments when they were advancing towards Civil Secretariat in Jammu to press for their demands.
A large number of daily wagers led by Ravi Hans and other Union leaders, assembled in the office complex of Chief Engineer at BC Road in the morning and started protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans in support of their demands.
Carrying banners and placards in hands, the protesting workers were demanding their regularization and release of pending wages. They said that the workers are facing exploitation. They are not being paid regularly while their families are facing starvation. Despite, assurance by the Lt Governor in presence of MP Jugal Kishore and BJP president Ravinder Raina last year, their issue was not resolved even after the passage of one year, despite the fact that they had sought three months time.
The workers from various areas of Jammu region after staging protest at BC Road complex, started moving towards Civil secretariat. When they reached at Indira Chowk, a contingent of police stopped them. The workers showed some resistance but they were not allowed to move ahead. They started raising loud slogans against the administration and the BJP.
On the other hand, threatening to lock down centres for 10 to 15 days, Aanganwadi (rural child center) workers and helpers staged protest in Tehsil Complex Mandi and put forth their long pending demands before the administration. A large number of workers gathered outside Tehsildar’s office at Mandi town and raised slogans against the regime for discriminatory treatment.—KMS
