Opinion April 11, Forty Years Ago: Port and dock workers end longest-ever strike

It was called off following an agreement on wage revision between the government and leaders of the four federations of port and dock workers. The withdrawal was announced after a “memorandum of understanding” was signed.

Forty Years Ago, Curfew In Jaffna, Care For The Needy, PM Gandhi’s Response, Workers End Strike, editorial, Indian express, opinion news, indian express editorial

The withdrawal was announced after a “memorandum of understanding” was signed.

By: Editorial

April 11, 2024 10:37 AM IST First published on: Apr 11, 2024 at 06:35 AM IST

The longest strike in the history of ports and docks of the country ended before midnight. The strike, by three lakh port and dock workers, lasted 28 days. It was called off following an agreement on wage revision between the government and leaders of the four federations of port and dock workers. The withdrawal was announced after a “memorandum of understanding” was signed.

Curfew In Jaffna

Sri Lanka government clamped an 18-hour curfew on Jaffna effective from mid-day as violence escalated in the northern Tamil provincial capital. The swift action followed reported attacks on Sinhala property in Jaffna by militant Tamil youths. Reports said the Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya was set on fire while a Buddhist temple of Naha Vihare in the heart of the town survived, with minor damage.

Care For The Needy

A separate cell, headed by an assistant medical superintendent has been constituted at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital in New Delhi to identify destitute patients and ensure that their treatment is neither neglected, nor delayed. The cell, consisting of two junior doctors, a social worker and a sanitary inspector, will also be responsible for the general welfare of these patients during the period of their treatment.

PM Gandhi’s Response

The Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, scoffed at the threat of some extremist organisations against her and her son, Rajiv Gandhi. Asked about reports that the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and the Dashmesh Regiment (Akali extremists) had placed both her and her son on their hit lists, she shot back: “I have lived with danger ever since I was born,” she told newsmen.