DACCA: The East Pakistan Government is going to take serious steps for the maintenance of law and order in the province and will no longer tolerate any kind of duress or threatening and blackmailing in the name of trade unionism, it was learnt here today [June 3].

According to an official spokesman, the Government has been watching carefully the happenings in the different parts of the province, particularly the labour unrest and what had happened in the Siddhirganj Power Station causing immense suffering to the millions of peace-loving citizens. The Government has decided to enforce strictly the law of the country in the larger interest of the nation.

The Government is conscious about the free and healthy trade unionism and genuine grievances of the labour were to be met in legal course but the Government would no longer tolerate the bargaining of demands by means of duress and threat, and will not yield to blackmail, the spokesman said. Turning to the recent happenings at Siddhirganj, the spokesman said the whole matter is under careful examination. … Illegal and subversive activities will be dealt with drastically, he added.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2020