By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar : As the indefinite hunger strike of National Youth Corps volunteers in Srinagar entered its 36th day without any response from the state government, the President of state National Youth Corps Association has threatened to immolate himself on October 16th if their demands are not accepted by the government by October, 15th.
The president, All Jammu Kashmir National Youth Corps Association (AJKNYCA), Asif Ali Bhat termed the decision as purely individual which he took what he terms after the continuous neglect by the state government and has threatened to let himself on fire in front of Education Minister of J&K State, Nayeem Akhter’s official residence on Gupkar road .
[TCN File Photo]
“We are sitting here on indefinite hunger strike since last 36 days and till now, no decision has been taken in our favor. Politicians came, expressed their sympathies and made their statement and forgot the issue once for all. The condition of youths who are sitting with me on hunger strike since last one month is getting terribly worse and I can’t see them suffering like this,” Asif Ali Bhat, President, AJKNYCA told TwoCircles.net
“Being the President of the Association I have decided to take this fight to next level. We won’t harm anyone else. Let me immolate myself and let the state bear the repercussion following my death,” he added.
Importantly, after the second mass uprising in 2010 and subsequent cases of youth joining separatist activities of stone throwing, hundreds of youth were engaged by then government in various department for two years, with a sole motive to keep them away from stone pelting. On completion of term, the verbal extension was issued on June 3, 2012 by then government.
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.
In 2014, then National Conference-Congress government issued a cabinet order no 192/CIR/2014 and then secretary education vide order number 737-EDU of 2014 to engage 6000 NYC Youth as contingent workers in school education department against the vacancies which were created after the newly up gradation of 800 schools of state.Unfortunately, the order is yet to be implemented.
The striking youth went on indefinite hunger strike in Pratap Park- the venue of hunger strike in City center Lal Chowk, on September 1, last month for implementation of the said cabinet order. Various failed deliberations took place between the youths and the state Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu. Around 200 NYC’s have been hospitalized in last 36 days after their deteriorating condition due to the continuing hunger strike.
The issue was raised in the State Assembly by National Conference Legislator, Abdul Majeed Bhat on Tuesday. While replying to the Legislator’s question, the Education Minister, Nayeem Akhtar said, “ After examining the matter, a number of factual inaccuracies and infirmities have been noticed in the cabinet order/ proposal relating to their engagement and the entire issue is being resubmitted to the cabinet shortly.”
Meanwhile, Ex Union Minister and Patron National Conference, Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday Visited the Striking NYC Volunteers and expressed solidarity with them. Even leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad had visited the youths last month assuring them of raising the issue with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and in the coming session of the Parliament.
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