Baramulla, 6/August
The recent government takeover of the iconic Hotel Nedous in Gulmarg has left nearly 100 employees suddenly unemployed—many of whom have served the establishment loyally for decades. With no alternative offered, the displaced staff have been forced to stage protests at Press Enclave Srinagar, demanding justice and livelihood security.
District President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Baramulla, Mohammad Rafique Rather, voiced deep concern over the situation. “My issue is not with the takeover itself, but with the way it has been executed—abandoning employees who have dedicated their lives to this institution, without any future plan or support,” he stated.
He further added, “At a time when unemployment in Jammu & Kashmir is at an all-time high, displacing over 100 families without any rehabilitation or compensation is not only unfortunate but deeply insensitive.”
Rather emphasized that most of these employees are sole breadwinners. “How are they expected to feed their children, educate them, or care for their ailing family members?” he questioned. “This is not just about a hotel—it’s about human dignity and the survival of families who have been thrown into crisis overnight.”
Calling the move sheer injustice, Rather stated, “Snatching the bread and butter of poor workers is both unfair and inhumane.”
He urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to intervene immediately and formulate a compassionate and practical rehabilitation plan—either by reinstating the staff or offering them employment within the tourism or hospitality sector.
Reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to the rights and welfare of the people, Rather concluded, “We stand in complete solidarity with the protesting employees of Hotel Nedous and will continue to raise our voice until they get the justice they deserve.”
Support Independent and Impartial Journalism
Nouk-e-Qalam News is a free and independent journalistic platform. To maintain our ethical standards and avoid obscene advertisements, we have disabled Google Ads. We now rely on your generous financial support to continue our unbiased reporting. Our Writers and readers are kindly urged to contribute—daily, weekly, or monthly. Thank you for standing with truth.
