People's Democracy

SHILLONG

IN response to the call given by National Assembly of Workers, more than ten thousand employees and workers, drawn mainly from central government offices and central public sectors, participated in the all-India general strike on May 21 in the state of Meghalaya.

In banking, insurance and BSNL sectors, the strike was total as officers associations also participated supporting the eight-point charter of demands. The strike was near total in central government offices, as many of the offices had to be locked due to the absence of staff.

The medical and sales representatives’ union also participated in the strike. Some unions and associations of state government employees, including the Meghalaya College Teachers Association, extended support for the strike.

A joint procession of employees and workers was also organised under the banner of Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Associations at Shilong on May 21. After traveling through various thoroughfares, the procession was converted into a rally in the front of CTO building, Shilong. It was presided over by H C Marwein (president, MJCTUA) and addressed by Swapan Chakravarty, D Dympep, Himangshu Dutta and T Kharkongor.  

Local newspapers, AIR and TV channels gave wide publicity to the observance of the general strike.