Labour Association Pombay Kulgam Holds Peaceful Protest, Demands Release of Pending Material

Danishwar Hameed 

Kulgam, May 15:Members of the Labour Association Pombay in Kulgam district staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, urging the government to release pending construction materials promised for developmental works carried out during 2023-24.

Gathered in solidarity, the workers expressed frustration over delays despite having completed several key projects in the region last year. Protesters said they have been waiting for months, with no sign of the materials necessary to resume or initiate further work.

“We have fulfilled our responsibilities and contributed to development in our region, but we are still waiting for the materials to be released. We don’t have a single penny left. We are suffering,” said one of the protestors.

Many also criticized what they described as unkept promises made during the election season. “We elected this government with the hope that they would keep their promises. But till now, they have failed to deliver on them,” said another.

The association has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor's administration, the Chief Minister, and the Deputy Commissioner of Kulgam to intervene and facilitate the immediate release of the pending materials, which they say are essential for both their livelihoods and ongoing community development.

When contacted, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Pombay acknowledged the issue, stating, “The concern is genuine. The material is pending not just in Kulgam but across the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Hopefully, the liabilities will be cleared very soon.”

The protest concluded peacefully, with demonstrators expressing hope that their plea will prompt swift action from the concerned authorities