Panic gripped more than 4 lakh workers, mostly engaged in construction work, after state government issued an advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to curtail their stay and leave Kashmir valley in view of the militant threat.
What should we do as there is no advice for us in the advisory, said a group of workers engaged in construction of a house in the outskirts of the city. There are over 4 lakh skilled, semi skilled and labourers from Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Punjab and Rajasthan working in the Kashmir valley, including in the far-flung and remote areas. However, a large number of workers stay in the valley even during winter months also.
Construction work will be badly hit in the valley if these workers will leave in panic. Similarly situation was witnessed in 2008, 2010 and 2016 due to mass agitation in the valley. There are also several thousands outside beggars who could be seen at every chowk, traffic light and shrines and mosques in the valley.
