KL Report

Srinagar

In continuance with the century-old tradition of bi-annual shifting of the state capital, the Jammu and Kashmir civil secretariat and other offices reopened in Jammu on Monday amid tight security arrangements and anti government protests.

The offices of civil secretariat, Raj Bhawan, state legislature and DGP, which were moved from Srinagar to Jammu in the last month, reopened in the winter capital Jammu.

Authorities had imposed prohibitory orders around the secretariat in view of the reports that several organizations plan to hold anti-government protest rallies in the city.

However a considerable number of government employees under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), gathered and start marching towards the civil secretariat. Protesters were intercepted by a large contingent of police. Dozens were arrested in order to disperse the protesting employees.

State Employees are on a war path against government to press their long pending demands like pay anomaly and increase in the retirement age. EJAC sources said that people from EJAC Kashmir had reached Jammu a day before to participate in the protest.

Jammu Kashmir Panthers Party leaders and workers also took to streets against government. JKPP protesters were demanding dissolution of the state government and immediate assembly elections.

“The government has failed to deliver in every respect so governor of the state must utilize his constitutional powers and dissolve it to pave way for the fresh elections,” the protesters demanded.

The practice of Darbar move was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to escape extreme weather conditions of Jammu during summer and harsh winter of Srinagar. The offices closed in the Srinagar last week of October.

Over 5,300 employees and truck loads of records were shifted from Srinagar to Jammu. Over Rs 10 crore were spent in the shifting of Darbar.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here