Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,(DD) The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a stormy session today as opposition and ruling party members clashed over the recent lathi charge and detention of Jal Shakti department’s daily wage workers protesting for their pending wages and job regularization.
The uproar began when BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa raised the issue, condemning the use of excessive force against the workers. His concerns were echoed by National Conference (NC) leaders Mir Saifullah and B.A. Veeri, as well as Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat. As Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather attempted to proceed with the scheduled Question Hour, the opposition members shouted slogans and demanded accountability.
The protests stem from long-standing grievances of daily wagers, who claim they have not been paid for nearly 85 months. On Monday, police resorted to a lathi charge and detained several demonstrators in both Jammu and Srinagar as they marched towards the Assembly and the Chief Minister’s residence. The workers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting March 20 if their demands remain unmet.
Addressing the House, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the issue, calling it a humanitarian concern rather than just a financial one. He expressed regret over the lathi charge, suggesting that such force should not have been used. However, his statement led to further commotion, with BJP MLAs chanting slogans like “Chor Machaye Shor” and staging a walkout in protest.
The incident has once again highlighted the plight of thousands of daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom have been working without job security or timely wages for years. As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are now on the government’s next move to resolve the crisis.(DD)
