Srinagar, 24 March (H.S.): Several Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Helpers, who were earlier disengaged, staged a protest here today, demanding reinstatement of their services and release of long-pending salaries.

The protesters assembled at the Press Enclave and raised slogans in support of their demands, alleging prolonged injustice following their disengagement.

They said that despite repeated protests over the years, their grievances have remained unaddressed.

According to the protesters, around 320 ICDS helpers to supervisors across Kashmir have been affected by the disengagement, leaving hundreds of families in distress.

“We have been protesting for a long time, demanding reinstatement to our posts, but no one is listening to us,” one of the protesters said.

“We have not received our salaries since 2019 after being disengaged. Our families are suffering, and it has become extremely difficult for us to survive,” the protester added.

Another protester said the continued delay in addressing their grievances has pushed many into financial crisis.

“For years, we have been running from pillar to post, but our voices are being ignored. We have no stable source of income, and it is becoming impossible to manage our daily expenses,” she said.

Highlighting the scale of the issue, a protester said that around 320 workers across Kashmir have been disengaged.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar