Puducherry, Feb 1 (PTI) Around 2000 employees of the electricity department began an indefinite strike in Puducherry on Tuesday in protest against the move by the Union territory government to privatise distribution and transmission of power.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Hails Union Budget 2022-23 As ‘People-Friendly and Progressive’.

The call for an indefinite strike was given by the Engineers and Employees Association to protest the government's move.

Also Read | Infinix Zero 5G India Launch Likely To Take Place on February 8, 2022: Report.

Police were deployed in strength at all the installations and other vulnerable areas here. Employees turned up at the head office of the department in neighbouring Sonampalayam and held demonstrations condemning the privatisation plan.

An association spokesman said Chief Minister N Rangasamy and Electricity Minister A Namassivayam should come out with a firm assurance that the territorial government would not let privatisation of power distribution take place.

Former chief minister and Congress leader V Narayanasamy had already asked the CM to oppose the move.

Association sources said demonstrations were held by the striking staff at the main office and at a few other centres on Tuesday.

Official sources said all necessary steps were taken to ensure there was no disruption of power supply. The sources said the apprehensions of the staff that they would face hardship in the wake of privatisaion are "baseless and incorrect".

Association leaders had already said the employees had joined the department as government staff and would retire as government employees.

Employees in outlying regions of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam also resorted to the strike, the association leaders said.

District Collector E Vallavan had announced enforcement of prohibitory orders in Puducherry district from Tuesday under Section 144 of CrPC.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)