The four-month-long struggle of the construction workers in Jammu Kashmir came to a successful end on 16 December 2004 when the HCC management agreed for a settlement with the USB Rail Project Workers’ Union in the presence of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central). The settlement envisaged introduction of Project Allowance at the rate of Rs 500 per month for all construction workers, medical allowance equivalent to 25 days’ of wages per year, timely supply of uniforms to all workers and reinstatement of almost all terminated workers. It was also agreed that other demands of the workers would be examined and finalised shortly.
The construction workers of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Barmullah Railway project were on strike since 2 August 2004 demanding payment of proper wages, social security benefits and proper safety arrangements as per the law of the land. They were deployed in construction of railway track, including tunnels and bridges in the hilly region spreading from Udhampur to Baramullah in the state. The project was under IRCON (Indian Railways Construction Company) and the construction work was assigned to HCC.
The USB union affiliated to CITU had submitted its charter of demands to the contractor in February 2004. In March, the HCC management accepted all the demands in the presence of the labour department, but never implemented it. In spite of repeated requests, the management was not ready to implement the demands, which made the workers en masse decide to go on an indefinite strike from 2 August 2004.
The HCC resorted to several tactics to break the strike. They first sought the help of both the police and military to suppress the striking workers. On 10 September 2004, a peaceful dharna of the workers was forcefully suppressed by opening fire followed by brutal lathicharge. The very same day, Mohammed Hanif, one of the 30 workers who were injured in the firing died. Unable to bear the atrocities the workers took shelter in a nearby jungle in the midst of a severe winter. The villagers who protected the workers by providing them with food and shelter were also not spared. The entire project area at Banihal was converted into a ‘concentration camp’ to break the strike and compel the struggling workers to surrender.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir extended wholehearted support to the striking workers. On 11 September, a total bandh was observed in Banihal. More than 8,000 workers in two hydel projects – Dul Hasti and Baghliar – joined the strike. The Jammu-Srinagar highway was blocked by a huge demonstration by workers and local people. Many MPs visited the striking workers and gave solidarity support. They even met the Defence Minister and state Chief Minister to seek withdrawal of the military, stop police atrocities and pressurise the labour department to settle the problems of the workers.
The attempts of the well wishers and the determined will power of the striking workers made the management heed to the demands of the workers. The HCC agreed for a settlement and promised that other demands of the workers would be examined and finalised shortly. The heroic and successful strike was called off later.