Imphal, April 16 2010: The ceasework strike spear-headed by JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO has completed 90 days today, with the employees' body raising demand for the resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on moral ground.

A JAC statement issued by its Publicity and Information secretary L Priyobratta accusing the Chief Minister of being inefficient and arrogant, suggested that O Ibobi Singh produce a white paper to substantiate frequent remarks that the State Government is not in a position to entertain demands of the employees for total implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

Reacting to the CM's comment that demand of the employees for in-toto implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations is akin to loading elephant's load on a goat, the secretary posed if the Arunachal Pradesh Government could implement the Commission's recommendation including payment of arrears to its employees, why should the Government of Manipur ill-treat and dishonour services rendered by the State Government employees here.

Construing that O Ibobi's comment is itself an acceptance of being weak and inefficient, the JAC advised that the CM step down on moral ground to pave the way for some resilient and an effective personality to take charge of the state of affairs.

Moreover, the general public in general and the working class in particular do not need an inefficient leader like O Ibobi whose commitment to uphold interest of its employees as well as pensioners is questionable, the body maintained.

Contending that invoking dies-non is yet another attempt to force the agitating employees to return to work, Priyobratta said the order apart from being back-dated would only incite the employees to intensify the ongoing agitation.

Asserting that there is no question of the employees reconciling from their present stance till the demand for paying the Sixth Pay scale along with the arrears is conceded, the JAC pointed to members of Manipur Secretariat Services' Association and primary school teachers under the banner of COTA joining the ceasework strike as an indication that the Government is heading for an embarrashing situation until and unless the JAC's demand is honoured.

Expressing that mass casual leave by the Secretariat employees today followed by ceasework strike from tomorrow is certain to derail to State machinery, the JAC statement further pointed out that COTA members resorting to abstention from classes after the ongoing sit-in-demonstration would mean total collapse of another important sector of the Govt. While conveying solidarity to three PHED employees languishing in jail for their participation in the employees' movement, the JAC called upon all concerned to relentlessly pursue its goal irrespective of pressure from the Government.

On the otherhand, manipur State unit of All India State Government Employees' confederation has conveyed its unconditional support to the ongoing ceasework strike by State government employees.

Expressing that State Secretariat employees joining the agitation would be an eye-opener to teachers and employees of other departments understand their right and fight unjustice, the Confederation also suggested that State Government revoke the dies-non order for its implication would be even more serious as the striking employees are unlikely to cow down to such pressure tactics.

Charging Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh of not translating his assurance to hold talks with the agitating employees as was told to the Confederation's national general secretary K Balasubramaniam at a recent meeting between the two, State unit of the Confederation said a report on the CM's arrogance would be forwarded to Balasubramaniam.

Meanwhile, manipur Secretariat Services Association has claimed that its members resorting to mass casual leave today has crippled normal functioning at both the South and North campuses including the Ministers' block of the State's administrative hub.

The Action Committee of MSSA has affirmed to continue ceasework strike till a negotiated solution is made/prepared by the Government, a Committee release said.

The Committee strongly condemning invocation of dies-non against the agitating employees by the State Government opined that such a measure would only agravate the situation.

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