Cease-work strike affects government offices in Manipur

IMPHAL — The Joint Administrative Council (JAC) of the All Manipur Trade Union Congress (AMTUC) and the All Manipur Government Employees’ Organisation (AMGEO) intensified its cease-work strike on Monday over pending demands, including enhancement of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR).

Government employees of the Minor Irrigation department in Imphal West district and officials at the Bishnupur district headquarters suspended routine office work and staged protest demonstrations.

Members of the All Manipur Government Drivers and Technicians Association also joined the agitation, while employees from several other departments extended support to the ongoing movement.

The strike has continued to affect government functioning across the state. Last week, administrative services in Ukhrul district were severely disrupted as the JAC intensified its cease-work agitation.

JAC president RK Basumani said the employees had submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the state government and warned that the agitation would be further intensified if the government continued to ignore their grievances.

He said that although some of the demands had been accepted, key issues remained unresolved despite meetings with the chief minister and the chief secretary.

The JAC's demands include enhancement of DA and DR on par with Central government employees, implementation of the 8th Pay Commission, revival of the Old Pension Scheme, extension of the retirement age of government employees, regularisation of contractual staff, declaration of Saturdays as holidays, and service protection for Grade III and Grade IV AYUSH medical officers.

The JAC also reiterated its demand for extending the service period of state government employees.

The Manipur government, under Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh, recently introduced a five-day work week for state government employees, effective from July 11, 2026.