Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 01:
The ongoing agitation of Dharmarth Trust Employees Association (DTEA) entered 91st day while chain hunger strike entered 64th day in support of their demands to constitute a board for all temples under Dharmarth Trust on the pattern of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
A large number of employees including Pujaris assembled in the protest venue at Shri Ranbireshwar Temple and raised anti-government slogans.
Speaking on the occasion, Working President of the Association, Rajender Shastri strongly criticised the UT Government for its silence and failure to settle the issue of the agitating employees till today.
He expressed serious concern over the promise made by the Lt Governor with striking employees in the meeting that he would constitute a committee to look after the affairs of trust but till today nothing has been done in this regard.
He demanded that the government to clear its stand on the issue and tell the employees what difficulties it will face to merge all the temples under Dharmarth Trust with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
He said if a board will be constituted for all the temples the condition of temples not only improved but also the economy of J&K will boost many tourists visiting Jammu, the city of temples and symbol of Dogra Heritage.
He appealed the government to intervene in the matter and resolve the issue amicably at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Pawan Kumar, Sagantan Mantri Incharge Uttar Khattar BMS visited the venue and addressed the striking employees and assured his full support to the agitation. He also urged the Lt Governor to merge all the temples under Dharmarth Trust with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The persons who sat on hunger strike today include Pt. Ajay Kumar, Pt. Harbans Lal, Pt. Ashwani Kumar, Kartar Chand, Ashok Kumar, Savita Sharma, Neelam Devi, Rajinder Singh, Sarita Devi and Sheela Devi.
Sunit Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Subash, Pt Parshotam, Pt Brijmohan Sharma, Pt Om Parkash, Pt Rampal, Pt Balwant Shastri, Vimal Khajuria, Sat Paul, Pawan, Deepu, Rinku, Makhnu, Jivan, Bushan, Sonali, Renu, Anju, Sheetal, Sonika, Sukeshni, Rita Salathia, Rekha, Ritu Devi, Harbans Lal, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Surjeet Singh Jamwal, Parshotam Sharma, Ram Paul Sharma, Jagjeet Chand, Sahil Sharma, Pt Babu Bishambar Lal, Raj Kumari, Leela Devi, Sheetal, Ritu Rajput, Jyoti, Sheela Devi, Savita Jamwal, Kanchan, Rajni, Nisha and Sonika were also present on the occasion.
