No Bank, Telecom Services Plague Labourers in Kashmir

Labourers from Bihar and West Bengal tell The Quint what problems they’ve been facing in J&K amid curfew.

While a few people said that the situation, despite the curfew, is stable but they pointed out that the lack of bank and communication services has been a problematic situation.

(Photo: PTI)

After the effective abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, curfew has been imposed in Srinagar, disrupting normal life in the region. The Quint visited Srinagar’s Haudpura area where several people, who’ve come from West Bengal and Bihar in search of work, live.

While a few people said that the situation, despite the curfew, is stable, they also pointed out that the lack of bank and communication services.

When asked whether he is able to contact his family, Mohammad Salman, a painter, told The Quint, “No, this happened suddenly. Our families must be worried. We don’t know how they are doing.”

“If the situation worsens any further, we shall go home,” he added.

Mohammad Shakeel, who is also a painter, said that since some of his payments were due, he had to stay back in Srinagar.

‘Not Able to Go to Work’

When asked about the working situation in the region since the Centre’s decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, Mohammad Izhar, another painter, said, “The only difference is that we aren’t able to go to work. Our payment is due. Our boss is telling us that banks are shut so he cannot get the money.”

“We waited till Eid but the situation worsened during this period. Now the boss is wondering what to do, how to pay the money. If the bank opens for even one day, we can get our dues.”