Work resumes in J

Srinagar, May 7 (UNI) Work resumed today in all the Jammu and Kashmir government offices and educational institutions after the two-day general strike on a call given by the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) in support of their demands.

All the educational institutions were functioning normally, while doctors and other paramedical staff in the hospitals also began work this morning.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) employees were seen lifting heaps of garbage from streets and cleaning roads. Long queues were seen outside the government controlled ration depot, which had also been shut, due to the strike.

The EJAC had given the strike call in support of their demands, which included raising retirement age from 58 to 60 years, five day week in all government offices, regularisation of all daily wagers, adhoc employees and medi-claim for all.

The strike was also against government's failure to control the price rise of essential commodities, a EJAC spokesperson said.

The EJAC had issued a 20-day ultimatum to the government to meet their demands or face complete strike.

Scores of employees were wounded, when police resorted to baton charge preventing them from entering the civil secretariat on May 5, where the office of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, his cabinet colleagues and other state functionaries reopened in summer capital.

Meanwhile, Communist Part of India (M) state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Targami strongly condemned the police action against employees, terming it unfortunate.

Mr Targami urged the government to initiate negotiations with their representatives for an amicable and lasting solution of all issues.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an alliance partner in the Congress led government also condemned the police action against the protestors.

UNI BAS ATI BST1329