Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) personnel have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from August 18 accusing the State authorities of giving them hollow assurances without taking any concrete action to meet their demands. Addressing the media here on Wednesday, PRD welfare organisation State head Pramod Kumar Mandrawal said that PRD personnel had been rendering their services in the mountainous and plain regions of the State since the formation of the force. “Working along with policemen at the secretariat, Vidhan Sabha, election duty, sensitive and ultra sensitive areas, PRD jawans have also been working as drivers, computer operators, watchmen, cook, gardeners and in other positions for lower wages without any basic facilities. In 2013, PRD personnel had protested near the Parade Ground for 123 days. Then the PRD director Ajay Pradhyot had called us for a meeting in the secretariat and assured action within 15 days on our five-point demands but this was not done,” he said, while adding that they would start an indefinite period strike from August 18 if their demands are still ignored.
The PRD personnel are demanding amendment in the PRD Act, regularisation on the lines of State government employees, an organisational structure separate from the Youth Welfare department, formation of company and battalion among other demands.