Security plan on anvil for non-local labour

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12

The government in Jammu and Kashmir is drafting a plan to provide security cover to the non-local skilled employees working in various industrial units in the valley.

Security agencies have kept many such skilled employees, presently working in various industrial units, under their surveillance to provide them a safe working atmosphere.

“We have deployed our men around various industrial estates to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for the industrial units and staff working there,” a senior police official told The Tribune.

The decision has come following a communique sent by the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) to the Police Department, asking it to increase “the surveillance” around the industrial estates for the security of the non-local skilled labour.

“In view of the ongoing situation, you are requested to deploy police personnel around the industrial estates for the security of non-local skilled labourers working in various industrial units,” an official quoted the SIDCO communication to several district superintendents of the police in Kashmir.

A SIDCO official said hundreds of non-local skilled labourers had left industrial estates - Rangret, Lassipora, Shalteng, Khrew, and Doabga - following the abrogation of Article 370.

In the absence of skilled labourers, who mostly come from outside Kashmir, several industrialists have scaled down their operations and are facing losses, he said.

“Several industries have turned into non-performing units and are on the verge of shutting down their operations,” he said.

To stop the migration of skilled labour, SIDCO has sought security for them to prevent the closure of the few industrial units presently functioning in the Valley.