Total bandh in Pondy over JIPMER issue

Puducherry, Sep 26 (UNI) Even as JIPMER employees continued their indefinite strike for the 19th day today to protest against granting autonomous status to the centrally-administered institution, a near total bandh was observed by the JIPMER anti-conversion peoples' action committee comprising political parties.

Almost all shops and business establishments remained closed.

Except for few autorickshaws, private buses, tempos and taxis were off the road while government buses plied with police escorts. All government offices, both central and state functioned with thin attendance.

Leaders of the federation and confederation of state government employees maintained that all office-bearers had availed casual leave, but the employees could not do so due to a communication gap.

Cinema halls suspended noon shows. All government schools functioned normally while the private schools were closed for holidays after the quarterly examinations.

Windscreens of three buses and a lorry were smashed and two shops were ransacked here. Two people were arrested in connection with the incident while 154 people, including leaders of opposition political parties were held for obstructing vehicular traffic.

Police made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain peace during the bandh.

Meanwhile AIADMK state secretary A Anbazhagan and CPI(M) Tamil Nadu state council member T Murugan thanked the public for supporting the bandh.

The JIPMER administration had given a final warning to the employees yesterday to resume duty by 1000 hrs today, failing which stringent action would be initiated against them. However, the employees ignored the warning and continued their strike.

UNI PAB ROY RS1309