Srinagar: The Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM) contractual employees on Thursday began a 48 hours hunger strike in Srinagar demanding regularisation of their services. SBM is a centrally sponsored scheme.

Several protesting employees from various districts of Kashmir valley  assembled in Partap Park and raised slogans against the government. The employees accused the state government of not fulfilling their demands.

The protesting employees demand regularisation of their services besides seeking cover under new scheme “Padina Likhna Abhiyaan” which, they said, will be launched on September 8.

The employees are protesting under the banner of All J&K Saakshar Bharat Mission Employees Forum.

Ishfaq Ahmad, the president of the union said that despite the fact that they have completed six years of service in the education department, the government keeps ignoring their genuine demands.