Srinagar, Feb 2: The police action against protesting employees at Jammu on Tuesday has come in for severe condemnation from different employees’ unions and social organizations.
 At least 10 employees were injured in police lathicharge on these employees’. The protest organized by the Joint Consultative Committee was held for fulfillment of demands including release of pay commission arrears, raising of retirement age to 60 years, regularization of the services of daily-wagers and ad hoc employees, and release of 10 per cent DA.
 Meanwhile, the JCC has called for state-wide protests by employees on February 21, and threatened agitation during budget session in winter capital if the government failed to meet the demands by February 27.
 “The indiscriminate use of force against employees by the police cannot deter us from continuing our struggle for realization of demands. We have decided to hold demonstrations at divisional headquarters on February 21. If government continued to renege on its commitments and agreement, we will stage protests at Jammu during forthcoming state budget session beginning from February 28,” JCC senior leader and president, Employees Joint Action Committee (Q), Abdul Qayoom Wani told Greater Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, J&K Teachers’ Forum has condemned the police action against employees, terming it undemocratic and uncalled for. It has reiterated its support to JCC programmes and resolved to make these successful.
 School Education Non-Teaching Employees’ Forum, while condemning the police action, termed it an act of repression to muzzle employees’ voice. “It is our democratic right to raise our voice peacefully to press for the fulfillment of our demands,” said the Forum president, Nusrat Ahmad Beigh, announcing full support to JCC programmes.
 All Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Pensioners’ Welfare Forum coordinator, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Poshpuri has also condemned the act, terming it government’ highhandedness. 
 Poshpuri said the government should stop employing pressure tactics and meet its commitment made with the JCC leadership without any delay.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST