JAC strike on in Manipur, 14 depts grind to halt

IMPHAL, April 16: Fourteen departments in the state today came into grinding halt with the launching of the indefinite cease work strike by a faction of the Joint Administrative Council and All Manipur Government Employees Organization this morning, demanding payment of long overdue salaries and protesting against the suspension of allowances of employees by the state government. The S Narendra led faction of the JAC declared a wildcat indefinite cease work strike effective from today during a press conference yesterday at the State Guest House. All government machineries are likely to come to a stand till April 18 next when the other faction of the JAC led by Madhuryajit joins the cease work. Most of the essential services like the medical services, fire and water supply services are yet to join in the cease work strike. The home guard volunteers which forms a major force in the security of various government offices and hospitals have endorsed their moral support to the ongoing strike but still are staying out of the purview of the strike. The joining of the treasury department in the strike may affect many other departments which are yet to join in the strike. Twelve more departments, which are affiliated to the Narendra faction of the JAC are also likely to join the strike in the next few days. A statement issued by the publicity secretary of the JAC faction, Khaidem Hitler asserted that the strike will continue indefinitely. Meanwhile, the other faction of the JAC led by Madhruyajit is scheduled to talk to the Chief Minister tomorrow at the Chief Minister's bungalow, on proposed strike of the JAC scheduled for April 18.