JKRTC hold demonstration over release pending salaries in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 14(ANI): Hundreds of striking employees of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) suffered injuries on Monday, when they held a rally outside the corporations' headquarters and marched towards the State Civil Secretariat near Lal Chowk in Srinagar, as police had to use teargas shells and water cannons to disperse them.

Police was forced to use force, as demonstrators were adamant to meet the State Finance Minister over his alleged remarks about them.

"Today is our 20th day. We are on strike. It has not affected the Government at all. We have given the Government two options. Either the Government should run the transport corporation effectively and pay the employees their salary or wind up the whole corporation and pay the employees their compensation," said Muhammad Ashraf, an employee of JKRTC.

Demonstrators wanted to meet the Finance Minister of the State to press for their demands, but police stopped them.

"On earlier occasions also the police baton charged us, our women and daughters. Today also they are trying to stop us from going to the secretariat. We want to meet the state finance minister. We want to know why he said that there was nothing for transport employees," Ashraf added.

The demonstrators have been observing an indefinite strike for 20 days, and want release of last five months pending salaries. (ANI)