At least 96 Shiksha karmis on Monday appeared before the court of the first class judicial magistrate Niru Singh here in a two-and-half- year old ESMA case against them.
According to Purani Basti police, the Shiksha karmis had launched an agitation in November 2011 seeking a hike in their salaries and other demands. Despite promise made by the government and the administration the agitators had continued their protests. As a result the government had imposed Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them. The agitators later calmed down and re-joined their work.