Manipur Government Offices Shut Down by Mass Employee Walkout

Imphal: Manipur government offices ground to a halt for the second day straight. Thousands of workers stayed home on mass casual leave to force the government into action. The State Secretariat sits nearly empty. Only a handful of senior officials and contract staff showed up to work.

Protesters gathered at Singjamei Chingamakhong in Imphal to make their voices heard. The Manipur Government Services Federation, the Manipur Secretariat Services Association, and the Manipur State Pensioners’ Union organized the walkout. Their list of grievances includes eight specific demands ranging from higher retirement ages to the return of the Old Pension Scheme.

MGSF president L. Sarat said the government ignores them. "Repeated representations submitted by employees had failed to elicit any response from the government," Sarat told reporters during the sit-in. The workers also want the government to pay Dearness Allowance at Central rates and stop hiring retired officials.

The unions are threatening to escalate if officials stay silent. They promised to launch a total non-cooperation movement and an indefinite strike. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions joined the fray, backing the workers and demanding the state open talks immediately.