Army Engineers called in to restore Power supply in UT Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Feb. 23: Army pitched in with their electricity staff and senior engineers to restore power ssupply in the Union Territory after the Chandigarh Administration imposed the Essential Service Maintenance Act, (ESMA) empowering it to force employees to return to work or face FIRs and even arrest. Electricity was restored in the Union Territory, after almost 36-hour blackout that paralyzed the electricity services to the residents of Union Territory and industrial areas. Customers also had problems moving in the markets and making their daily purchases of essentials.

The staff strike had caused severe blackout and affected the essential services, and traffic lights had also stopped working in some parts. Online classes had to be rescheduled and there were reports of government hospitals rescheduling surgeries.  Later the power department workers of the Union Territory also ended their strike and soon power was restored. Fearing impending stern action by the UT Administration, employees had no choice but to withdraw the belligerent postures.