Five arrested for resorting to mass casual leave agitation

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 25

Five members of the Manipur Government Services’ Federation, MGSF, including one woman were arrested today at around 10 am for obstructing and preventing other government employees from entering the civil secretariat to attend their offices.

The federation had called for a cease work strike by all state government employees in demand for the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations in the state.

The arrested strikers are: Nandeibam Jugeshwor Singh, 58, son of N. Chaoba of Nongbung Ayangpalli, Imphal East, Pukhrambam Shyamkumar Singh, 57, son of late P. Ibohal of Ningthoukhong Bazar Makha Leikai, ward number 11, Lourembam Deben Singh, 54, son of late L. Mani Singh of Keinou Thongkha, Bishnupur district, Aribam Indubala Devi, 52, daughter of A. Apabi Sharma of Bramapur Nahabam Bishnulatpam Leirak, Imphal East and Moirangthem Iboyaima Singh , 51, son of late M. Phougei Singh of Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Imphal East.

In the meantime the state government has warned all the employees not to take casual leave and to come office as usual.

According to a reliable source it is said that chief minister has given an order to suspend the arrested disobedient members.

The source further said the five arrested MGSF members are still in the custody of Imphal Police station.

On the other hand, a press release from MGSF said the federation has decided to postpone its cease work strike for the time being, expressing “full confidence” in the Fitment Committee formed to look into means and mode of implementing the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations. 

General Secretary of MGSF, Purujit Lairikyengbam, announced that the federation will postpone the strike “till a new notice is issued in this regard and subject to the outcome of the government’s positive action within the timeline”.

He added that while MGSF hopes the committee would submit its report within 10 days as mentioned, the federation is holding off it strike for another 10 days “as grace period for complete finalisation of payment structure, etc.”

In an earlier release, Chief Secretary of Manipur, Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, requested the MGSF not to resort to any form of agitation, assuring that the government is trying to finalise the modalities for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendation.

Another report said supporting the agitation most of the government employees of Jiribam district did not attend their respective office.

A release of the Government Employees’ Union Jiribam announced they would support any kind of agitation taken up by MGSF.