People's Democracy

AISGEF Condemns Tamil Nadu Repression

THROUGH a statement issued from New Delhi on July 4 by its general secretary, Sukomal Sen, the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) has expressed a sense of shock and anguish at the massive attack launched by the Jayalalitha government of Tamil Nadu on the striking state government employees and leaders who began their strike from July 2. The action aimed to protest against the severe downsizing and the snatching away of the economic and other social security benefits earned through years of struggle by the employees.

The AISGEF has described as highly condemnable the fact that the state government has, instead of trying for an amicable settlement of the issues, taken recourse to repression by promulgating the draconian Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and arresting hundreds of employees through house to house raids in a bid to break the strike.

Meeting at New Delhi on July 3, the AISGEF’s secretariat strongly urged upon the Tamil Nadu government to immediately stop repression, release all those arrested, withdraw victimisation cases and settle the employees’ demands. The AISGEF secretariat lent its full support and solidarity to the striking employees and asked all state government employees throughout the country to rise in protest. (INN)