Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 9: Police foiled the protest march of the State Government employees and workers and arrested at least thirty of them, when they were taking out a large protest rally towards Raj Bhavan at Panjtirthi today.
A large number of employees from various departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) assembled at Old Mubarak Mandi complex in the morning. Under the banner of State Government Employees Joint Action Committee (SGEJAC), the employees launched their protest demonstration from this venue.
Senior leaders Sushil Sudan, Suresh Sharma and Subhash Verma were leading besides Aijaz Khan, K C Dubey and BA Mir. They also addressed the large gathering before starting protest march at Mubarak Mandi. They were carrying banners and placards depicting their demands. They criticized the State Government for ignoring the pending issues of the employees and alleged that Government was adopting delaying tactics.
The protesting workers started their rally towards Raj Bhavan at around 11.15 am. As they reached near Police Post Panjtirthi/ LIC office, the strong contingent of police and para-military force intercepted them. The employees showed some resistance but they were not allowed to move ahead. The cops resorted to mild lathi-charge on the workers. After lodging protest many of them dispersed from the site while at least 30 employees including prominent leaders – Sushil Sudan, Suresh Kumar Sharma, Subhash Verma and Aijaz Khan were arrested.
All the persons packed in police bus were taken to Pacca Danga Police Station and then released after one and half hour. Later, a deputation of SGEJAC met the private secretary to Governor and submitted a charter of demands.
The major demands included -release of 6 % DA, removal of pay anomalies of clerical and other cadre, enhancement of Medical allowance to Rs 3000 per month, regularisation of daily wagers, budgetary support to PSUs and reorgnisation of several Corporations, timely release of salary of SSA teachers/ Anganwadi workers and holding of regular DPCs.
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