Guwahati: Fifty-four muster roll workers of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district have begun an indefinite hunger strike, seeking regularisation of their services.
The protest outside the institute’s main administrative building entered its third day on Wednesday, members of the NIT Workers’ Union said.
The workers are demanding permanent status in line with a Gauhati High Court order directing NIT Silchar to regularise its muster roll employees and extend benefits available to permanent staff.
According to the union, 122 muster roll workers are employed at the institute, but only 20 have been regularised so far. The remaining employees have allegedly continued working for several years, with some having joined the institute as early as 1993.
The protesters said they would continue the hunger strike until the institute addresses their demand for regularisation.
NIT Silchar authorities could not be contacted immediately for their response to the workers’ demands.