Arunchal employees stage dharna

Thousands of striking Arunachal Pradesh government employees staged a dharna before the state secretariat here defying ESMA and paralysing work in various departments.

Thousands of striking Arunachal Pradesh government employees staged a dharna before the state secretariat here on Tuesday defying ESMA and paralysing work in various departments.

HT Image

Despite the state government on Monday ordering the release of two employee leaders arrested under ESMA, the employees, except the contingency staff, did not resume their duties today.

The two leaders were released for talks with the chief secretary to be held lateron Tuesday.

The employees who were on strike since February 5 shouted slogans demanding withdrawal of ESMA, reinstatement of the two leaders who were dismissed after their arrest and implementation of the 6th Pay Commission recommendations with arrears for 36 months.

The state government had implemented a modified pay commission recommendation from January including only 6 months arrears under an agreement with the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh(CoSAAP) on January 4, which created a rift among the employees.

Geli Kamki and Tangam Mibang, chairman and spokesman respectively of Aalo unit in West Siang who were terminated after their arrest under ESMA on February 13, declared after their release on bail on Monday tthat the strike would continue.