Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday expressed anguish over the tragic incident in which four laborers lost their lives while cleaning a well in district Kupwara.
Party’s district president and former MLC Qaisar Jamsheed Lone while expressing grief over the incident said the unorganized labor force propelled the development activity by working in most challenging conditions and high degree of insecurity.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of four precious lives in an untoward accident that took place in Kupwara the other day. I express my heartfelt sympathies to the kith and kin of those whose lives were devoured in the unfortunate incident. I also pray for peace for the lives of the deceased. I also urge the administration to provide ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased and ensure that their families don’t face any hardships on account of losing their earning hands. I once again express my solidarity with the mournful families. The ex-gratia to the affected should be released without any delay, furthermore the bereaved families should be provided succor through various social security schemes. I pray for courage to the bereaved families in their hour of grief,” he said.
Unfortunately the welfare of unorganized both skilled and unskilled labor class doesn’t fall in the priority list of the government, he said while asking the government to provide support to laborers both skilled and unskilled. It is these people who keep the economy afloat with their toil.
“Need to the hour is to provide health insurance cover to such laborers and their families besides having an old age pension scheme to help such laborers live a dignified life in their old age. The administration is duty bound to prepare a list of such labor force as is involved in various types of menial labor activities across J&K and ensure their wellbeing both physically and mentally. These people work in highly hazardous conditions without necessary safety gears and other life saving safety gadgets making them susceptible to such untoward incidents. Belonging to the lowest ladder of the society these people have no option but to work in such perilous conditions to ensure two plain square meals to their families. It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure their wellbeing,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami has expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic and unfortunate incident which took place in Warsun Dardpora, Kralpora area of Kupwara in which four construction labourers lost their lives during digging of a well .
In a statement issued here today, the CPI(M) leader urged the district administration particularly the labour department to take immediate steps to provide compensation to the affected families so that these families are rehabilitated .
He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Peoples Conference too has expressed profound grief over the tragic incident.
In a statement issued to KNS, PC termed this tragic incident as heart wrenching and unfortunate. Bhat said that the safety of the labor class in J&K has become a least priority for the administration.
Party leaders, Adv.B.A.Dar, Rashid Mahmood, Raja Ajaz, Mohmmad Suliaman Bhat, District president Mir Hafizullah, District co-ordinator Ab.Ahad Kashmiri, Sheikh Ashaq Hussain, Habibullah Beig, Reyaz Mir, Khalid Rasool and Sheikh Altaf expressed solidarity and sympathy with bereaved families. The party has also demanded ex-gratia for the next of kin of the victims.
