DA crisis: Employees call off fast, continuing with other forms of protests

Kolkata (IANS) | The United Forum of State Government Employees, which is spearheading the agitation against non-payment of dearness allowance dues by the West Bengal government, on Saturday called off the relay fast, continuing with other forms of protests. However, the Manch representatives clarified that only the relay fast has been called off and that too temporarily, while other forms of protests, including non-cooperation with the state government, will continue.

According to United Forum spokesperson Tapas Chakraborty, the decision to call off the relay fast has been taken after several protesters fell ill, some of whom had to be hospitalised.

Many people were suffering from kidney problems, he said. Therefore, in view of the evolving situation, we have decided to call off the strike temporarily.

However, another agitator Tapas Sinha said that the decision to call off the fast after 44 days of starting the agitation is temporary and if needed, they will launch a similar agitation in future.

The United Forum has already announced that they will go on a mass holiday on March 30 and organize a massive protest rally on the streets of Kolkata on the same day.

On the other hand, the Manch will organize a two-day sit-in demonstration from April 10 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The ‘Digital Disobedience’ movement is already being demonstrated by the state government employees against the state government on the DA issue.

Show cause notices have already been served to some of the state government employees who participated in the one-day strike. On Tuesday, a crucial hearing on the DA issue in the Supreme Court was adjourned till April 11.

–IANS