Local labourers who were engaged by Beacon department (109 RCC GREF) for repair, construction and macdamisation work on Kupwara Tangdar highway for decades have now been disengaged, alleged a group of local labourers from Chowkibal, Tumna, Marsari, Dringyari, Nechian and Hajinar villages.
“Our means of income yearly income depends on our engagement as laborers on the highway 109 RCC. This year they have imported hundreds of labourers from Bihar disengaging all the local laborers,” the delegation of local labourers said.
They said that during heavy snowfall in winter they worked on the higher altitudes by putting their lives at risk. “Dozens of local laborers lost their lives while performing their duties. Beacon department failed to provide any ex gratia relief,” said a representative of local labourers. “All these local labourers live a life below poverty line and will suffer more without work now.”