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| Employees yield to govt pressure: Call off strike | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 14: Apparently succumbing to the "suppressive" tactics being followed by the state government, all the employees' outfits-spreading agitation against the non-payment of sixth pay commission arrears-today announced withdrawal of their 12-day-old strike citing the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's assurance vis-à-vis formulation of a roadmap to concede the employees demands within three months.
The State Government had heaved a sigh of relief yesterday when the Civil Secretariat employees and representatives of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) had called off their strike after the Chief Minister's assurance that the government would formulate a roadmap within three months.
Besides, the State High Court has described the strike of the employees as "illegal" and directed the government to take stern legal action against the striking employees. The Court had observed that the State must take all necessary steps to take legal action against the employees, who have proceeded on strike.
Being caught in catch-22 situation, another warring faction of employees, Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), which had extended its strike till April 19, also announced to suspend its agitation unconditionally. The Committee also cited the Chief Minister's "sincere assurance" as reason behind the suspension of its 12-day-long agitation. With the EJAC's announcement of suspending its strike, the much-hyped stalemate came to an end with nothing going to the employees' kitty.
"The EJAC has decided to call off the strike following assurances by the Chief Minister. We hope that all our arrested colleagues would soon be released by the administration unconditionally," Gafoor Dar, spokesperson told reporters here in a hurriedly called press conference.
The EJAC leader said, "Since the High Court has described the employees strike as illegal and now Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has assured the employees for fulfillment of employees' demands within three months, we left no alternative but to call off the agitation," Dar said.
Talking to the Early Times, Khursheed Alam, senior JCC leader said, "We have withdrawn our strike following the assurance of the Chief Minister. The decision has been taken to pave a way for congenial atmosphere for holding talks with the government."
He however, refused to accept that the employees have yielded to the government's pressure tactics, saying "It was only after the understanding between the JCC and the administration the former decided to withdraw agitation."
He, however, informed that the executive body of the JCC would hold its meeting on April 20 to discuss the prevailing situation.
Over the release of arrested JCC leaders, Alam said, "We hope that the arrested leaders would be released by today evening." He also confirmed that the leaders of the striking employees had been invited for talks by the Chief Minister.
The State government employees across the State were on strike for the past 12 days, demanding payment of arrears following a hike in salaries on the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and enhancement of retirement age from the present 58 to 60 years.
All the government employees would resume their duties across the tomorrow.
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