Government had invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against its striking employees on Monday.
With ESMA in force, police today detained six leaders of employee unions agitating for release of arrears under the 6th Pay Commission, even as the determined protesters extended the strike to April 13.
Government had invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against its striking employees on Monday. With employees continuing strike, police detained Abdul Qayoom
Wani, who heads a faction of employees Joint Action committee
(EJAC, official sources said.
He was taken into custody along with two others outside Jhelum Valley College Hospital and were shifted to sub-jail Baramulla.
However, police said Wani was not arrested under ESMA. "He was detained as a precautionary measure to scuttle attempts by the striking employees to plan protests."
Various employees unions affiliated to Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) spearheading the ongoing strike for release of
arrears and hike in retirement age to 60, had been boycotting
offices since April 3.
About 4.5 lakh government employees had gone on a week-long strike on April 3 against the failure of government to meet their demands.
Meanwhile, the JCC extended the stir till April 13 in view of "strict measures" like ESMA invoked by the government.
Under ESMA, striking employees can be imprisoned and fined for boycotting duty, besides facing the prospect of "no work, no pay" for the strike period.
Three other leaders, including district president of EJAC Mukhtar Ahmad were detained from Anantnag town, 55 kms from here, the sources said.
The strike has paralysed work in government offices, hospital and educational institutions and public sector undertakings.
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