Authorities Wednesday foiled the march to Governors House from MGNREGA Employees Association who demand their absorption in the Rural Development Department (RDD).Hundreds of these employees led by their chairman Syed Jaffar assembled here in Pratap Park. As they tried to come out from the park and march towards Governors House, police swung into action and stopped them. Witnesses said that police used mild lathi charge to disperse them, however, the spokesperson told CNS that some of the protesting youth were wounded and shifted to hospital.While condemning the police action, the spokesperson said they are fighting for just cause.Chairman Syed Jaffar said that 4500 contractual employees had been given assurance that they will be absorbed in the Rural and Development Department but so far the authorities have not kept their word.The protesters chanted slogans, “we want justice”, “we want absorption” and held a massive protest inside Pratap Park.
The protesters claimed that the employees are serving the RDD department from last more than ten years and least in service employee would be serving from last five years, “We need our future security and demand our absorption in the concerned RDD department,” said Syed Jaffer, president Association. “We are being ill-treated by the state administration,” he added.Members of the Association claimed that they are not being taken seriously by the administration and their issue of absorption has not been solved yet. “We are being forced to come on streets and protest for our rights as administration failed us till now,” said a group of protesters.Despite the fact that government has assured us to absorb 4500 employees in the concerned RDD department last year after we called off the strike in Jammu, they said.The protesters claimed that they have served the state honestly and state administration is not taking any positive step for their future.“Despite working in a project of even 54 thousand crore we are being paid lesser wages without security,” they said.Now the protesters demand the intervention of Governor in the matter to redress the issue at earliest.The protesters said they will not remain silent till they are not being absorbed in the department. (CNS)