Local labourers protest against Beacon department in Kupwara

Kupwara, May 23: Dozens of residents from Batpora, Jaktiyal-C, Bangam and Bharam Dhari areas of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Saturday staged a protest against the Beacon department alleging discrimination and denial of employment opportunities to local labourers.

The protesters said that local workers are being continuously ignored despite the department carrying out road construction and other developmental works in the area for nearly two decades. 

“The officials and mates of the said department are giving preference to their relatives, friends and close acquaintances while genuine local labourers are being deprived of work opportunities,” they said. They said that the issue has been brought into the notice of concerned authorities several times but to no avail. The protesters warned that if their demands are not addressed, they would intensify their protest in the coming days. 

They have sought immediate intervention of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb, Local MLA and senior Beacon officials in this regard so that they may get employment opportunities.