Nashri Tunnel Gets Mysterious; Executing Agency accused of Violating Laws

KL Desk

Srinagar

Construction of 9 kilometer long tunnel between Chenani and Nashri gets mysterious as workers seem to be under pressure from various quarters. The company, Leighton Weslpun Contractors Private Limited, the company executing the project is accused of running nexus, violating laws and thus putting lives of more than 500 workers in danger.

The latest came to light when five workers of Leighten Welspon Company were injured, when some unidentified persons fire upon them last night at Nashri. These workers were sitting on strike-cum-dharna for the last two days in support of their demands against the management.

However, police has registered an FIR against unidentified persons for attack, but striking workers accused police of shielding the assailants.

“Despite producing concrete evidence and giving the names of attackers, the police was expressing its helplessness in taking any action against them,” the workers claimed.

Eyewitnesses claim that workers were fired upon and attacked with stones by a group of persons including women led by a Sarpanch, who was working as a contractor for the company.

District Development Commissioner, Ramban, Shabeer Ahmed Bhat has confirmed the incident and has called a meeting of leaders of Nashri Workers Committee and elected village representatives on February 4 to sort out issue, meanwhile, SP Ramban Anil Magotra said that situation is tense but under control.

Echoing the views of workers, former minister and state president, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Thakur Randhir Singh has said company is violating the labour laws with the nexus of the local administration. Singh has demanded a white paper on the working condition of labourers in the tunnel and has also demanded tunnel allowance, medical allowance, winter allowance and sufficient warm clothing for the workers.

Earlier four labourers were injured when rocks hit them during a blasting work in the tunnel. Prior to that a storekeeper of company, Chuni Lal died while another received serious burn injuries when they accidentally came in contact with 11 KV live electricity wire while working at Nashri side of the tunnel.

Pertinent to mention that the 11000 crore tunnel was an alternate route to bypass the perennially difficult Patnitop and the Nashri slips and connect and otherwise 41 km distance. By 2016 when it will be operational, it will be India’s longest highway tunnel.