`Chalo Vijayawada': How government teachers hoodwinked police to make programme successful

Amaravati: Defying prohibitory orders, thousands of teachers and employees took out a huge rally from AP NGO Bhavan to BRTS Road in Vijayawada.

Shouting slogans, 'We Want Justice', the employees marched through the streets to make `Chalo Vijayawada' programme successful

Earlier, Vijayawada Commissioner of Police Kanthi Ratan Tata had denied permission to the programme citing COVID-19 surge.

How police are trying to prevent employees

All entry points near Ibrahimpatnam, Kankipadu, Prakasam Barrage and Varadhi Junction have been surrounded by police. Since Wednesday, thousands of employees were put under house detention.

Around 25,000 CCTV cameras have been installed to keep an eye on the employees. Police are checking buses, trains, heavy motor vehicles, two-wheelers, and auto-rickshaws. The identity card of every person traveling to Vijayawada is being checked.

How employees reached Vijayawada

Many employees reached Vijayawada feigning as wedding guests. Sources said around 3,000 employees from the Srikakulam district have traveled to Vijayawada. They started from Srikakulam, Palasa, Sompeta, and Ichchapuram using different modes of transport. Many people gave the police a slip.

Few employees were found dressed up as farmers to reach Vijayawada. Passengers in one of the trains pulled the chain to help the employees. Few employees were seen walking along the railway tracks to reach Vijayawada.

Chalo Vijayawada was organised demanding on several issues including implementation of minimum basic, HRA and DA for employees cadre-wise, implementation of 11th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and also regularisation of employees working on contract and outsourcing basis in the government departments. Employees Union demanded the government to withdraw three GOs on new PRC, payment of January salary as per old wages, and disclose the Ashutosh Mishra Committee report on PRC.