KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: The story of the employees engaged in the Land Acquisition Railway Collectorate, Srinagar, is not merely an administrative dispute—it is a deeply human saga of endurance, sacrifice, and an unyielding pursuit of justice that has stretched over nearly three decades.
Fresh details emerging from their original representation further underscore the depth of their struggle, revealing how both the initial appointees and those engaged later have been bound together by a shared experience of neglect and uncertainty.
The genesis of the issue dates back to 1997, when the Qazigund–Baramulla Railway Project—one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir—was set into motion. Recognising the need for a dedicated administrative mechanism to facilitate land acquisition and allied processes, the government established a special Railway Collectorate in Srinagar. A high-level meeting held on October 12, 1997, under the chairmanship of the then Revenue Minister, laid the foundation for this setup, with a decision to engage a bare minimum staff to operationalise the office in its infancy.
Accordingly, the first set of employees was engaged on a consolidated basis.
These included Showkat Ahmad War and Shuban Ji Labroo as Junior Assistant-cum-Typists, Javid Ahmad Wani as Runner, Manzoor Ahmad Dar as Orderly, and Gulzar Ahmad Malik as Driver. These individuals formed the backbone of the Collectorate at a time when the railway project was still a distant dream and administrative groundwork was crucial for its progress.
As years passed and the magnitude of work expanded significantly, these employees were eventually brought under proper grades and were granted annual increment benefits, offering a semblance of recognition for their services. However, even this step fell short of full regularisation, leaving their employment status in a state of ambiguity.
With the expansion of the project and the increasing administrative workload, more staff was required. In this backdrop, additional employees were engaged in the Railway Collectorate, Srinagar, pursuant to a decision taken by a high-level apex committee headed by the then Chief Secretary of the state. These subsequent appointees were placed in the time scale of the posts, and over time, the number of employees facing similar service-related issues rose to nine.
What makes their contribution particularly noteworthy is the challenging environment in which they worked. At a time when connectivity in the Valley was severely disrupted—roads were dug up, bridges were blasted, and basic infrastructure was in disarray—the idea of a functional railway system in Kashmir seemed almost unimaginable. Yet, these employees continued to discharge their duties under such hostile conditions, playing a crucial role in laying the administrative foundation for what would eventually become a transformative project for the region.
Despite their unwavering commitment, their services were never formally regularised. The years that followed were marked by persistent efforts on their part to seek justice. Their representation recounts how they were “dragged from one corner to another” by the authorities without any tangible outcome, reflecting the deep-rooted inertia within the system.
A significant breakthrough appeared to come with the Division Bench judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir dated October 22, 2024, in WP (C) No. 1812/2022 titled UT of J&K & others vs Showkat Ahmad War & others. The court, while taking into account the peculiar circumstances of their engagement, their long years of service, and the difficult conditions under which they worked, directed the Cabinet of the Union Territory to consider granting relaxation in rules—a power that squarely falls within the domain of the Cabinet.
For the employees, this judgment rekindled hope after decades of struggle.
It acknowledged not just their legal claim, but also the extraordinary circumstances under which they had served. However, that hope was short-lived.
In a development that has caused widespread disappointment among the affected families, the Cabinet, on March 13, 2026, under E-office file No. 115405, took a decision that the employees have termed as unjust and contrary to the spirit of the High Court’s directions.
According to them, the decision appears to have been taken on the advice of the bureaucratic setup, overlooking both the court’s observations and the humanitarian aspects of the case.
The impact of this decision has been profound. For nearly 28 years, these employees and their families have lived in a state of uncertainty, deprived of the financial security and social recognition that regular government service provides.
The lack of stability has affected every aspect of their lives—from their children’s education to healthcare and overall livelihood—leaving them in a vulnerable position as they approach the latter stages of their careers.
For those employees who were engaged later, the sense of injustice is equally intense. Despite being appointed at different stages, they have worked alongside the initial appointees, sharing the same responsibilities and challenges. Their inclusion in this prolonged struggle highlights the collective nature of the issue, where an entire group of employees has been denied its due despite decades of service.
In their latest representation dated March 30, 2026, the employees have made a heartfelt appeal to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to recall and review the March 13 Cabinet decision. They have stressed that such a move is essential not only to ensure compliance with the High Court’s judgment but also to deliver long-overdue justice to employees who have dedicated their lives to public service.
As the matter gains attention, it raises fundamental questions about governance, accountability, and the treatment of long-serving employees.
The government now stands at a crucial juncture—whether to uphold the principles of justice and compassion or to allow a decades-old grievance to persist.
For these nine employees and their families, the wait has already been too long.
Their story is a reminder that behind every administrative file are real lives, real struggles, and an enduring hope that justice, though delayed, will ultimately prevail.
