Manhandling of PDD staff in Kashmir
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (PEECC) has demanded immediate action against those involved in manhandling of PDD staff on duty in Kashmir.
In a strong press statement issued here, today by the Committee after a meeting of the office bearers of various associations/ unions of different cadres in PDD on the issue of brutal manhandling of the PDD staff members by Police in two separate incidents at Anantnag and Srinagar in Kashmir while on duty, the PEECC demanded intervention of Lt Governor into the matter and action against the cops responsible for it.
The PEECC revealed that the incident took place when the Assistant Engineer of PDD was proceeding from his home to Divisional office at Anantnag as his services were sought by Executive Engineer ED Anantnag and had a valid movement pass issued by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag. He was hurled abuses, beaten up not only at Sarnal check point but also arrested and beaten up in Police Station too and booked in a case FIR and later released on bail through an advocate. This all happened in front of Executive Engineer whose all requests were not heeded by concerned Sub Inspector In charge Police post in Bijbehara, Kashmir. The matter was officially taken up by the PDD Administrative department with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and then a fact finding report has been sought from Deputy Commissioner Anantnag.
Amidst this blow on the morale of the employees, another similar incident happened on Tuesday with another two employees, both Technicians in Srinagar, while they were proceeding on official duty and also carrying valid movement passes, wherein, they been mercilessly beaten up and bruises of their injury marks on arms are viral on social media, their mobile phone also was broken, somehow they managed to leave the spot.
These repeated incidents have forced the Power employees’ coordination committee to take the help of medium of Press in order to sensitise the administration to rein in the erring Police officials who are misusing their powers and committing brutality on PDD staff and others. The inaction of the administration and senior Police officers is seen as a license to the Police officials to beat up the employees who are on essential duties and expected to give 24×7 power supplies.
If administration can take accolades on all platforms for uninterrupted power supply during the COVID-19 then at the same time it should take responsibility in creating an free and fair working environment for the team members, If civil and police administration feels that engineering services of Power and Water are not mandatory, then please allow us to stay at home.
Sachin Tickoo, convenor PEECC appealed Lt Governor, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and IG Police Kashmir Zone to immediately take action against the erring police officials, otherwise power employees will be forced to suspend the services. Heads of various Unions of PDD were also present.
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