Srinagar, Feb 14: The death of an employee of Power Development Department, due to the alleged negligence of the officials’ triggered off massive protests here on Monday.
 Feroz Ahmad Dar of Wathora, Budgam a daily wager of the Department, who was critically injured while repairing 33 KV power line near Sub-division Rawalpora, earlier this month, succumbed to injuries at the Intensive Care Unit of the SK Institute of Medical Science, Soura last night. His death sparked off protests in the city centre.
 According to PBI, scores of daily wagers gathered at Press Colony, Lal Chowk and staged anti-department demonstrations. Chanting slogans, the protesters charged the officials for the death of their colleague. Besides demanding compensation for the family of the deceased, the protesters also demanded implementation of risk and medical allowance to all daily wagers while performing their duties.
 “We put our lives on risk to serve the department. The government, without any hesitation should implement risk, medical and welfare allowances to the PDD employees” Samir Ahmad said.
 “Such accidents have become a daily affair. Every week a daily wager loses his life or turns disable due to the carelessness of the department. Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah must look into the matter and save the lives of PDD employees,” he said.
 On this occasion, the protesters also demanded the release of their pending wages.
 Meanwhile, the J&K Central Non-Gazetted Electrical Employees Union has appealed to the chief minister, Omar Abdullah to compensate those employees, who have lost their lives while performing their duties.
 In a statement, Union said the Chief Minister should grant compensation and ex-gratia to those who died or got injured while connecting the electric lines.
 They reminded Chief Minister that former CM, Ghulam Nabi Azad had granted compensation to the deceased electric employees.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST