Road Traffic Disrupted in Vizag as Secretariat Employees Organise Protest
They warned that they would intensify their struggle if their demands are not fulfilled.
Visakhapatnam:The agitation by Secretariat employees in Visakhapatnam took a serious turn on Sunday when hundreds of them blocked roads near the RTC complex signal junction.
Their sit-in chanting slogans such as “We will do the job, but not slavery,” quickly escalated into a tense confrontation when police attempted to detain those blocking the road. The protesters resisted fiercely, insisting that the government respond to their demands immediately. They warned that they would intensify their struggle if their demands are not fulfilled.
Following the protest, traffic suffered severe disruption, with all roads leading to the RTC complex completely blocked. Buses and private vehicles remained stranded, resulting in a massive traffic jam. Police deployed additional forces in an attempt to divert traffic.
Demands of the Secretariat employees include sanctioning of two notional increments, implementation of AAS protection, immediate release of arrears for nine months, and an annual increment for the period of delay in ES probation. They sought a promotion channel without reducing the minimum basic pay, cancellation of GO 11, provision of benefits to families of deceased employees within three months, completion of compassionate appointments, and representation for SGSW employee unions in the Joint Staff Council.
Union leaders declared that the agitation would continue in the coming days until the government takes concrete steps to resolve their issues.