New PWD employees storm Assembly, 30 arrested
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2018:
Demanding release of pending salary and removal of 'kept in abeyance' tag on their appointment, All Manipur Newly Appointed Employee Association PWD stormed the Assembly today.
Enraged employees registered with the association gathered at DM College from where they marched up to the Assembly.
After storming the Assembly, they were made to assemble at Thangmeiband Muji Leirak by police.
Speaking to media persons, Khaidem Saratkumar, president of the association said that a DPC was held in 2016 for appointment of 348 Grade III, IV and LDC employees in PWD.
He regretted that they are yet to get salary for one year, causing immense hardship in running their family.
He pointed out that the newly appointed employees were not allowed to discharge normal duty as their appointment is being kept in abeyance.
He also claimed that repeated attempts have been made to meet several Cabinet Ministers to press their demands but no response has been provided till date.
Left with no option, the association was compelled to storm the Assembly to reiterate the demands, Saratkumar added.
Later the association held a press meet at Manipur Press Club wherein its joint secretary Thangjam Seerjit said that the association had launched different forms of agitation including shutting down of PWD office and sit-in-protest but the Government remains unresponsive to the demand.
He said that a brief argument cropped up between the newly appointed PWD employees and police in the course of storming the Assembly.
Contending that around 30 employees were arrested by police, he demanded immediate and unconditional release of the employees failing which intense agitations will be launched.
He also claimed that the newly appointed employees were denied entry to PWD office today.
Various agitations including sit-in-protest will be launched from tomorrow to register a strong protest against the denial of entry, Seerjit said.