Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 31: J&K Army Porters Union held protest and urged the Government to fulfill its promise by providing a job to the Army porters of Operation Vijay in Kargil.
Amid slogans, large number of army porters assembled near Exhibition Ground and demanded Government jobs as they worked shoulder to shoulder with Army jawans in Operation Vijay (Kargil war) from 1999 to 2004.
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President of the Union Darshan Lal Ghai said that they take pride in serving their nation during the time of need but it is unfortunate that the Government had made a promise with us to give them preference in recruitment in Army but the same was not done till date.
He said it is strange that Government has framed a policy for stone pelters and surrendered militants but not for the Kargil porters who worked shoulder to shoulder with Army jawans during Kargil war.
He said 10 porters lost their lives during the operation Vijay and the next kin of their family were given a Government job. “We too were assured Government jobs but the promise was not kept till date”, he added.
Ghai said that they served the motherland during the prime period of their life when the nation was in dire need of their services. But now the Government has framed the policy for surrendered militants who were fully involved in the anti national activities for their rehabilitation and employment while the ill fated Army porters are still knocking the doors of authorities for their livelihood.
This shows that the people who served the motherland are in desperation making rounds from one office to another and those involved in anti-national activities are enjoying the Government services which is a serious issue, he stated.
The porters have sought immediate justice for them as they were passing through difficult years of their life. Among others, who addressed the protesting porters were Bansi Lal, Beela Ram, Darshan Singh and Bodh Raj.
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