Baglihar workers go on indefinite strike

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Apr 6: Work at Baglihar power project including dam site came to a grinding halt last evening at around 8.30 PM with workers going on an indefinite strike when police allegedly arrested president of Chenab Hydel Electric Power Project Workers' Union (CHEPPWU), Sajjad Hussain Magray at Chanderkote.

The agitating workers have also threatened to extend their stir tomorrow to Dul Hasti Power Project, if their president was not released immediately.

Reports said a police party from Jammu allegedly arrested Magray under Public Safety Act against whom some cases were pending disposal.

Reports said that sources in the Jai Prakash Industries, entrusted with contract of prestigious Baglihar power project has suffered losses into lakhs with workers adamant to come back to work.

The workers were demanding immediate release of Magray before resuming their duties at the dam site, said the reports.

The general secretary of CHEPPWU, Javed Zargar has alleged that Congress MLA GM Saroori and power minister Mohammed Sharief Niaz had hatched a conspiracy against Magray, who foiled their attempt to provide a contract to one of their favourites.

Zargar alleged that both Saroori and Niaz wanted the management to provide contract to one of their favourites in the project, to which Magray had strongly objected.

However, when contacted DC Banihal refused to comment on the entire incident and Batote police also expressed ignorance about the arrest CHEPPWU president Magray.

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