Southern India: More Government Workers Strike

Trivandrum, India, Feb. 9 2002 (INS News) -- The indefinite strike launched by Kerala State Government employees and teachers organisation in protest against the government decision to curtail the benefits of its staff brought the functioning of the government to a stand still in the state.

The strike was total in through out the state and government offices remained deserted. Medical services in hospital and other centres were not affected but office staff were absent. The agitation partially affected even those sectors which brought under Kerala State Essential Service Maintenance Act {ESMA] The state secretariat remain closed as non-gazatted officers joined the strike.

The functioning of the University and colleges was hit when varsity employees and teachers stayed away from work. The revenue collection at the Sales Tax Check post in the state was totally affected in the view of strike. The working of the Kerala High Court was normal with the court employees having withdrawn from the strike earlier. The striking employees forcibly prevented those who were willing to join the duty even the heads of the department from entering offices.

The anger of the general public the indefinite strike by the employees and teachers reflected in various parts of the state. Parents of the students in various schools, forced teachers to conduct classes. Tension prevailed at Civil Station in Cohin as striking government employees and those opposing the strike shouted slogans each other. The strong police force deployed in Civil Station ensured that the situation does not go out
of hand.

The leaders of striking employees claimed that its supporters had participated in the strike disregarding the tough stand taken by the government including ESMA. The indefinite strike by govt employees and Teachers passed off peacefully,barring minor incidents in some part of state.

The police had made an elaborate security arrangements to deal with any eventuality arising out of the staff agitation. The security around the secretariat, the nuclei of the power, had been tightened to prevent any untoward incident.

Chief Minster A.K. Antony has directed the Director General of Police to deal sternly with the trouble makers during the strike. The Government decided to suspend all the department heads who take part in the strike. It is wrong on the part of Government employees to threaten the public by showing off their organisational strength.

Protests mounting in the rural areas against the strike, Chief Minister told to the reporters, Chief Minister convened a meeting of the top officials to asses the situation. State Chief secretary V.Krishnamoorthy, Home Secretary N.Ramakrishnan, Director General of Police,K.J. Joseph and Director General of Police, Intelligence Hormis Tharakan and officials took part. Chief Minister A.K. Antony expressed confidence that Government would be able to deal successfully with the employees strike with moral support of the people and said the unjust agitation will fail even if continued for days.

-- Sam Asharaf - South Asia Correspondent in Trivandrum, India

-- To respond to this story or post a follow up e-mail editor@insnews.org