Rly project workers' dharna enters third day

KT NEWS SERVICE BANIHAL, Apr 9: The ongoing dharna by over 200 unemployed youth in protest against non-absorption of local youth in rail project and non-release of compensation to land owners today entered its third day.

Spearheaded by Pir Panchal Railway Mazdoor Union (PPRMU) chairman Saleem Raja and Shafak Tasleem, the construction work of the ongoing railway project was suspended for the past three days at different locations in Banihal including tunnel number 77 and 78.

To add to the woes of protesting youth, IRCON and HCC which have been entrusted with the task of constructing the rail project have also suspended some of its workers in ten kilometers stretch of Banihal where the work was going on.

Hitherto IRCON and Land Acquisition Authority did not clear land compensation to the owners.

It may be mentioned here that PPRMU, which is affiliated with Chenab Hydro Power Projects Workers Union had resorted to four-day dharna from Feb 2 and then again for 12 days from Mar 3.

Irked over non-chalant attitude of IRCON and HCC, this time PPRMU went on an indefinite strike from April 7 demanding compensation to land owners besides absorption of local youth in the rail project.

So far IRCON and Land Acquisition Authority have failed to complete final survey which has been hampering release of compensation.

Following objections by land owners and dharna by PPRMU, the HCC has decided to wind up construction work from different locations in Banihal.

When contacted HCC project manager, KL Dhar said that HCC headquarter in Mumbai has instructed us to wind up construction work till Revenue department of the state and IRCON did not provide us dispute-free land to carry on the construction work.