Hundreds of 'distraught' workers engaged by the Chenab Textile Mills (CTM) in Kathua district on Friday blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and staged protest demonstrations alleging non-payment of full monthly salaries for last two months.
Before stepping out of the premises, agitated workers ransacked offices and pelted stones on the private security of the textile mill. A police gypsy was also damaged by the protesters and turned upside down to disrupt the traffic on the highway.
To contain the angry workers, police resorted to use of teargas shells. Before the situation went out of control, senior officers of Kathua police, led by SSP Kathua, Shailendra Mishra rushed to the spot and the workers were pacified to stop demonstrations. SSP, Shailendra Mishra handled the situation himself by speaking in local language and successfully dispersed the crowd.
Large number of workers, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh alleged they have been staying here in the factory premises even during this lockdown period but they haven't been given their full salaries.
They charged, despite appeals made by the PM Modi not to hold salaries of workers, the management of the Chenab Textil Mills have not been adhering to the diktat.
Few women workers, with their faces covered with masks, told TV reporters, they have been paid their salaries @ Rs 150 per day.
"We were handed over a paltry sum, we really don't know how to survive with this amount in our pockets".Few other workers claimed, the management paid an equal amount to all the workers which resulted in friction as those who were working demanded more wages. SSP, Shailendra Mishra and Deputy Commissioner Kathua OP Bhagat later directed the Mill authorities to follow the guidelines issued by the govt and resolve the issue of pending payment of
workers. The workers were also directed to enroll themselves if they wished to return home at the special counters inside the mill premises. Meanwhile, a FIR no 121/2020 u/s 307,336,427,332,353/188/269/270/147 IPC was registered by the police against the employees and workers of Chenab Textile Mills for indulging in violence and damaging police property.