J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

200 J&K employees arrested
JAMMU, Jan 14 — The state government is having a crackdown on the striking employees. The employees have been on strike for the last 24 days demanding payment of two instalments of DA and arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission. So far about 200 employees have been arrested. Of them 20 were from Srinagar.

US body honours Virender Mahajan
JAMMU, Jan 14 — Dr Virender Mahajan, who has made history in ayurvedic research, has been nominated as man of year 2000 by the American Biographical Institute. The nomination has been announced by Mr J.M. Evans, president of the Carolina-based institute.

200 J&K employees arrested
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 14 — The state government is having a crackdown on the striking employees. The employees have been on strike for the last 24 days demanding payment of two instalments of DA and arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission. So far about 200 employees have been arrested. Of them 20 were from Srinagar.

The police raided the houses of several leaders of employees joint action committee (EJAC) since last evening and took many into custody. Some of the employees were whisked away while they were on their way to join the EJAC rally here today.

The employees shouted anti-government slogans, stoned police posts, and held the chief minister, his ministerial colleagues and senior bureaucrats responsible for giving the cash crunch alibi for not honouring an agreement reached with the employees a few months back.

The EJAC today announced that the strike would continue up to January 25. Earlier the strike had been extended till today.

Official sources said less than one per cent employees had entered the Civil Secretariat, but left for Friday prayers after a while.

The main gates of the secretariat have been closed. Employees willing to resume their duties have been asked to enter from the near gate. Additional security forces have been deployed in and around the secretariat and other important government offices.

Several political parties, including the Congress, have criticised the state government for having invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

US body honours Virender Mahajan
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 14 — Dr Virender Mahajan, who has made history in ayurvedic research, has been nominated as man of year 2000 by the American Biographical Institute. The nomination has been announced by Mr J.M. Evans, president of the Carolina-based institute.

Dr Arvind Bhardwaj, Administrator of Maharishi Charak Ayurvedic Centre, Jammu, said the honour for Dr Mahajan comes for his discovery of an anti-arthritic herbal drug compound.