Arrests continue as Rajasthan Govt clamps down on strikers

Arrests continue as Rajasthan Govt clamps down on strikers
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

JAIPUR, JANUARY 17: Striking Rajasthan Government employees on Monday attempted to cut power and water supply at more than half-a-dozen places in the city while police arrested 451 of them under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code during the last 24 hours.

The strike, though, seemed to be intensifying as the Associations of Water Supply and Health Workers announced they were joining it from Tuesday in protest against the ``heavy-handed government response''.

School Education Minister B D Calla and Home Minister Praduman Singh told reporters that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC have been imposed in eight police station areas of the Capital including the Secretariat area.

They said the Government move was in response to attempts to disrupt essential services, including water and power supply, by the agitationists.

Action will be taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Destruction of Public Properties Act (PDPA) against employees who damaged public property, they warned.They said one person had been arrested while trying to damage a pipeline near the SMS Stadium in the City on Monday.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar, police lobbed teargas shells and arrested around 250 striking State Government employees who took out processions on Monday in several areas to press for Dearness Allowance and arrears.

Those arrested were later released on personal bonds, police said.

Jammu Range Inspector General of Police R V Raju told UNI that some persons were injured when the canisters landed on them, but the injuries were ``minor''.

The employees are on strike since the last week of December for the release of two instalments of DA and the arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission.

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has rejected their demands saying the State was facing a financial crunch and was not in a position to meet their demands.