Srinagar, Apr 12: Political parties and employees association have flayed the government for invoking Essential Service Maintenance Act against the striking employees and detaining their leaders. They urged the government to hold parleys with them and fulfill their demands.

People shouldn’t be held hostage: Tarigami
 CPI (M) State Secretary, M Y Tarigami has termed the ESMA implementation on striking employees as uncalled for.
 In a statement, he asked the government to find out an amicable solution and address the employees’ demands. He appealed the employee unions to shun the rigidity and be concerned about their duties.

ANC Condemns Employees’ Detention
 Awami National Conference today condemned the detention of striking employees, terming it ‘Hitlerian attitude’ of the government and called upon the political parties to hammer out a formula for ending the crisis.
 In a statement, ANC spokesman asked the government to shun ‘confrontationist attitude’ and settle employees’ demands through talks in the public interest. “People are facing hardships due to employees’ strike and patient care is suffering immensely. Instead of showing rigidity, the government should talk with the employees and fulfill their demands.”

Strike genuine: Senior citizens 
 Srinagar City Senior Citizens’ Forum Nazir Ahmad Nazir has also condemned the employees’ arrest.
 In a statement, Nazir asked the government to withdraw ESMA, release all arrested employees and fulfill their genuine demands instead of shying away from its responsibility. For, according to him, it is the inescapable responsibility of the government to pay the 6th pay commission arrears to employees and retirees. Use of force against employees to muzzle their voice is undemocratic and speaks about poor governance,” he said, adding employees’ strike was ‘genuine.’

+2 lecturers condemn coersion
 J&K Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum, Jammu and ReTs have condemned, what it called, the government’s repressive policy against the employees. 
 The Forum, at a meeting with its president, H D Qureshi in chair, said detaining the employees, who were agitating peaceful and democratically to press for the fulfillment of their demands, was barbaric and undemocratic. The Forum demanded immediate revocation of ESMA, release of all the employees and fulfillment of their demands.
 J&K Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers’ Forum has also condemned the invocation of ESMA and detention of employees’ leaders.

Govt’s action will strengthen employees’ resolve: CNTEA
 All J&K Colleges Non-Teaching Employees’ Association Monday said the “tactics” used by the government against the employees and their leaders would only strengthen their resolve to fight for their demands.
 The Association has supported the EJAC call of extending the strike till April 19.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST