Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Porters, enrolled by the Army during ‘Op Vijay’ in June 1999 and later retrenched in October after 4 to 5 months of engagement, today held demonstration near Tawi bridge, demanding employment from Central Govenment and the Army.
The ex-porters from far flung areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua and Pathankot, assembled near statue of Maharaja Hari Singh in large number in Jammu to express their resentment against the Government apathy for having used them when needed most and later ignoring their repeated representations.
They displayed the performance certificates issued to them by Army units with whom they had worked during the war time. They let our their anger and frustration by shouting slogans.
Th K P Singh, who had facilitated enrolment of nearly 2500 porters under the banner of ‘Tanda Tiger Force’ had arranged to invite Gen G S Jamwal, president of JKESL and B S Slathia, Senior Advocate to pursue their demands through the Army authorities at various levels upto Army HQ and Legally in the High Court respectively, while speaking to the ex-Porters assured his support in pursuing their welfare at various levels. Senior Advocate B S Slathia promised to study their case legally in details and assured all help including fighting their case in the High Court, totally free of any cost, for their services to the nation, if it makes a case to get them employment through the Court. Gen G S Jamwal assured them that he will discuss their case with army authorities in HQ Northern Command for their employment within the military and Defence establishments.
Many of the Porters who had become overage appealed for relaxation of age limits for employment for the porters. Col J P Singh, Col Karan Singh and Sub Head Clerk Jagdev Singh Chib helped the porters to prepare documentation and records for making a case for further progressing, administratively and legally.
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