Electricity department workers begin indefinite strike

Protest committee decided to abstain from all works from Feb. 1 to oppose Centre’s move to privatise the power sector

Defying an order issued by the District Collector prohibiting any agitation on the premises of the Electricity Department (ED) offices, hundreds of workers affiliated to the Electricity Engineers’ and Employees’ Privatisation Protest Committee on Tuesday gathered near the ED head office and staged a protest as part of their indefinite strike against the move by the Union Government to privatise power distribution in the Union Territory.

The Committee had decided to abstain from all works from February 1 to protest the Centre’s decision to hand over the department to a private entity.

Tension prevailed at Vambakeerapalayam as large number of workers from several units who tried to take out a march to the ED head office were blocked by the police. After an argument with the police, they squatted on the road in front of the ED office and staged a protest.