Suhail Dar
In the ongoing hunger strike of daily wage employees of the wildlife Department in south Kashmir Bijbehara in Anantnag district, two fell ill after which the duo was sent to the hospital.
Talking to The Kashmiriyat Bilal Ahmad Dar, one of the protesting employees said that four of their employees had to be taken to the hospital after they fell ill in two days due to the ongoing hunger strike.
“We twice contacted BMO Bijbehara but they didn’t come. They said that you are protesting against the administration, only then we referred them on our private transport and then sent them home for rest today,” he said.
The employees have been demanding due monthly wages “like the other departments” and also want the transfer of wildlife warden south Kashmir Abdul Rouf Zarger.
Dar said that they have been constantly protesting for the last three years. “Last year in December we protested for 21 consecutive days and we often took shelter here in Masjid in Bijbehara on those chilly nights of winter,” he said.
“Our wages are due 3-4 times a year, now they pick some persons among the department and only gave salary to them. We are on the field to rescue animals and stop man animal conflict , but we do not get wages.” Dar said.
The employees also protested in Srinagar, Jammu and also met chief wildlife warden who set up a committee, however the issue remains unresolved.
Dar said that no one came to meet them from the department.