Srinagar, August 29, KDC: Engineering staff of the Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings) Sub-Division Bijbehara have announced a boycott of field duties following an alleged physical assault on an Assistant Engineer by the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bijbehara, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri.
In a formal representation addressed to the Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division Anantnag, the engineers said that the officer was attacked at GB Khalil while performing his official duties.
“The incident has caused serious concern, distress and a sense of insecurity among the engineering staff of the Sub-Division,” the engineers wrote in the representation according to Kashmir Dot Com. “Such an incident involving an officer while discharging official responsibilities is highly unfortunate and unacceptable.”
As a mark of protest, the staff declared that they will abstain from ongoing field assignments until appropriate action is taken.
“In view of the above incident and as a mark of protest, we, the engineers of PWD (R&B) Sub-Division Bijbehara, have decided to refrain from attending field duties related to macadamization and other field works until the matter is appropriately addressed and adequate measures are taken to ensure the safety, dignity and security of officers while performing their official duties,” the document said.
The protesting engineers have urged the administration to take immediate cognizance of the incident and initiate action in accordance with established rules. Copies of the communication have also been forwarded to the Superintending Engineer of PWD (R&B) Circle Anantnag, the Chief Engineer of PWD (R&B) South Kashmir, and the President of the Civil Engineering Graduate Association (CEGA), J&K.
Despite multiple efforts, the MLA didn’t respond to multiple calls for comment. (KDC)
