By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Srinagar : The fate of 8000 National Youth Corps members of Jammu and Kashmir stays in limbo even as some of the NYC youth continue their hunger strike that started 22 days ago. They are still waiting for the State Government announcement on the Cabinet Order on this matter.
National Youth Corps (NYC) scheme was used in 2010 by the Government to keep Kashmiri youth from joining the protest that broke out that year. They were initially employed in various government department for two years. An extension was issued on June 3, 2012. But they have not been paid since the extension.
The striking youth went on indefinite hunger strike on September 1 for implementation of Cabinet Order no 192/CIR/2014 and then Secretary Education vide order number 737-EDU of 2014 taken by the previous National Conference-Congress government to engage 6000 NYC Youth as contingent workers in school education department against the vacancies which were created after the upgradation of 800 schools of state.
As one enters into the makeshift tent of hunger striking Youths in the Pratap Park- the venue of hunger strike in city center Lal Chowk, one can easily get it confused for a makeshift hospital, from the hundreds of used glucose drip bottles hanging from a thread which runs through the ceiling of the tent.
Around 200 NYC youth both Male and Female are camping here since last 22 days without any food or water.
The Youths were paid Rs 2500 honorarium per month for first two years. After the verbal extension, the youth continued the work in their respective departments as full time employees without any salary till date.
During National Conference-Congress rule in state from 2008-2014, NYC members observed hunger strikes at a stretch and on daily basis took to streets in favor of their demands, but then NC-Congress Government didn’t budge to solve their grievances and every time used police as a tool to muzzle their voices by flexing muscles on protesters.
In June, 2012, these NYC Volunteers called off their nine day long hunger strike and protest programme following assurance by then youth services and Sports Minister, RS Chib that their demands will be taken care of. Since then, no heed was paid to their demands and the Minister’s assurance proved to be false promise.
Again in 2013 these volunteers staged a 72 hour hunger strike that was foiled by police. The protestors were beaten up and dragged from the press enclave Srinagar.
In 2014, the NYC members went on hunger strike in Jantar Mantar, Delhi when Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh had visited them of promising implementation of order if their government comes in power in state but promise seems forgotten after assuming power in the State.
“We stayed on hunger strike in Jantar Mantar, Delhi for pressing our demands. Then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited us in Jantar Mantar and assured us implementation of cabinet order if their government come in power in state. But now it’s their government in center as well as state. Now what is stopping them from implementing the cabinet order of 2014. Were those words mere elections Gimmicks?,” President NYC, Asif Bhat told TwoCircles.net.
The hunger strike of the youths have entered into 22nd day on Tuesday after various failed deliberations with Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu took place. The protesting youth have decided not to call their strike off until a favorable decision is made in their favor.
“We cannot trust this government. Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu have visited us two times to persuade us to call off our hunger strike, but what if they don’t act on their words after we call of our strike? He said that a package has come from Centre and it will take a week. Weeks have passed now why isn’t that package coming to state,” Asif told TCN.
The Association has further said that they will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha by staying on hunger strike in Pratap Park – the venue of hunger strike.
“We were cheated by the then government of state in 2010 by being inducted into this NYC scheme. This scheme was actually for dropouts but our Government wrongly implemented this scheme by employing the most educated youths of state who had done Masters, PhDs in their subjects. The cream of society was employed into as National Youth Corps. Who would have known that government would ditch us in later stage,” a NYC, Touseef Ahmed Shah told TCN.
Recently leader of opposition in the Parliament , Ghulam Nabi Azad visited the hunger striking youths. The leader assured them of raising the issue with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in coming session of the Parliament.
Around 150 NYC’s have been hospitalized in last 22 days after their condition deteriorated due to the continuing hunger strike.
“What face will I show to my mother who is waiting for me that I would support her financially? Despite performing my services will full zeal I am not being paid. What is my fault? ,” another NYC, Mehoob Malik told TCN
“We are not the back door appointees and we were recruited under the transparent policy and selection procedure by the concerned Deputy Commissioners to serve in 14 government departments as regular employees,” he added.
Every time a leader visit them, the whole atmosphere inside the makeshift tent gets highly charged. The youths have threatened to continue their indefinite hunger strike until government comes up with some concrete measures and have also threatened to bring in their parents who would join them in their hunger strike after Eid.
All photos by : Raqib Hameed Naik