Itanagar, Feb. 18: The beleaguered Arunachal Pradesh government is working out a “patch-up” plan with the employees of the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh, who are on a “pen and tool down” strike over non-fulfilment of their demands.

Representatives of the association had a meeting with chief secretary Tabom Bam last evening where Bam offered a “financial package”, likely to be announced for the 86,000 employees, who are protesting against the government’s “adamant attitude” towards their demands.

The association’s leadership, in a reciprocal gesture, decided to suspend their “jail bharo andolan” that began after the state government invoked Esma on February 10 in a bid to dissuade them from the ongoing strike that started on February 5.

The association’s chairman, Geli Kamki, said his association decided to suspend its “jail bharo andolan” for today on a pre-condition that chief secretary Bam would facilitate a dialogue between the confederation’s members and chief minister Dorjee Khandu this evening.

He, however, said the strike would continue.

“The chief secretary during a four-hour marathon meeting last evening assured us to take up the matter of providing a financial package for the employees with the chief minister, who will return here this evening from Delhi,” he said.

“Bam urged us to withdraw all forms of agitation, which we categorically refused,” Kamki added.

The employees have been demanding rollback of the Essential Services Maintenance (Arunachal Pradesh) Act, 1993, release of 36 months’ arrears, reinstatement of the terminated employees without service breaks and total implementation of 6th Central Pay Commission recommendations.

Bam said the employees, instead of opposing the state government, must repose faith on the government’s efforts for their welfare.

“We are happy with the outcome of the meeting that was meant to find a logical and amicable solution to the impasse,” he said.

“The issues of revocation of the Esma and total implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations would be taken up with the state chief minister on his arrival back from Delhi to the state capital,” the chief secretary said.

The association’s leadership has threatened to move Gauhati High Court in protest against the termination of its chairman, Geli Kamki and spokesperson Tagom Mibang from service on February 14.

Kamki and Mibang were arrested on February 11 and released on bail on February 16.

The association alleged that invocation of a draconian law like Esma on 86,000 employees in the state is a gross violation of Articles 14, 16 and 309 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring right to equality and right to employment in a democratic nation.