Srinagar, May 23: Scores of Contingent Paid Workers (CPW’s) of education department were injured while dozens others including EJAC President, Abdul Qayoom Wani arrested after police foiled their proposed ‘Secretariat Gherao’ on Wednesday.
Demanding fifty percent share from recently issued circular of appointing 20,000 watch and ward staff in government schools across the state, hundreds of CPW’s sat on a dharna at Pratap Park here to press for their demands.
They said CPW’s have been engaged in the education department since twenty years while many among them were regularized under SRO-308.
“Their demands are genuine which needs to be fulfilled without any further delay. Government should accept their demand of fifty percent share from newly created posts of watch and ward staff besides resolving other issues confronting CPW’s,” said EJAC President, Abdul Qayoom Wani before being detained.
He said the conglomerate will continue to extend its support to CPW’s until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, police used force, burst pepper gas canisters and charged batons to disperse agitating CPW’s who attempted to march towards Civil Secretariat.
Scores of protesters including few ladies received injuries in the police action while dozens others were taken into preventive custody.
EJAC President, Qayoom Wani and its General secretary Shabir Langoo along with dozens of other protesters were detained at nearby police station Kothibagh.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed on busy Residency Road which remained blocked for traffic for half an hour.
Police also chased away protesters from narrow lanes of Press Enclave and Abiguzar resulting injuries to many.
