Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
On 3rd October, 410 Loco Pilots (LP) and Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP), of Gandhidham Western Railway finally ended their indefinite hunger strike after 82 hours. 28 LPs and ALPs had to be admitted to hospital while they were on hunger strike. They had launched their agitation under the leadership of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA). See report Goods Loco Pilots launch indefinite hunger strike at Gandhidham, Western Railway, from September 30 to press for redressal of their grievances. – AIFAP
Their struggle crippled goods traffic in the important sector which handles goods transport to and from Kandla and Mundra ports.
After all attempts to break the struggle failed, the railway officials were forced to accept the main demands of the workers, namely
- withdrawal of charge sheets given to 5 loco-pilots who had refused to continue their duty beyond head quarter station,
- reducing shunting duty to 9 hours,
- ending the duty at head quarter station of Gandhidham for trains going towards Mundra etc.