Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, May, 10
Expressing his profound grief and sorrow over the tragic death of several labourers stranded outside their home States in extremely hostile conditions, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, JKNPP-Chairman & former Minister today reiterated his demand for early evacuation of all such work force. He pointed out that majority of the workers held up outside were without food, shelter, medicines etc. with all their savings having got exhausted. Their desperation was growing with each passing day and could have serious ramifications if not evacuated immediately, said Singh.
Seeking compensation of Rs. 50 lacs for each of the NOKs of the stranded labourers who died outside their respective States due to lack of mobility and State imposed restrictions, Mr. Singh said that the govt was duty bound to pay ex-gratia to their families. He said that not only were 16 labourers killed on Railway Track in Aurangabad but mortal remains of several labourers had reached J&K as well.
He said that while the influential rich and well connected people had managed their evacuation from other countries as well as outside States, it was the poor and marginalized sections alone who were left at the mercy of God in extremely disturbing and distressing environment outside.
Mr. Singh pointed out that several J&K labourers and Students had complained of their failing health in other States with no medical aid whatsoever provided to them. Likewise several groups of labourers were being threatened by their outside employers to work in their respective business concerns despite the threat of Corona in the said locations. Several other groups of labourers had complained of stoppage of all ration and food-grains by their contractors and factory owners resulting in their starvation.
Seeking immediate evacuation of all stranded labourers, Mr. Singh called upon the J&K govt for issuance of a calendar for lifting the said work force from each of the States so that each labourer know well in advance as to when he would be evacuated. This would provide a sense of relief to the otherwise restive, desperate work force, said Singh.
