KSIC workers withdraw strike after assurance on stadium plan

Mysuru: Workers of the KSIC unit at T Narasipura on Friday temporarily withdrew their 15-day strike following an assurance from Congress MLC Yathindra that the govt would reconsider the plan to construct a stadium at the site, based on a technical report.However, the protesters warned that if the govt does not drop the stadium construction plan by March 15, they will intensify the agitation in association with environmental groups, farmers' organisations, Dalit organisations, Kannada organisations and other progressive groups. They also said a meeting would soon be convened with state-level leaders of these organisations to decide the future course of the protest.Leaders of various organisations that supported the workers' strike met on Friday and discussed the situation before passing several resolutions.According to the decisions taken at the meeting, workers resumed their duty from Friday, trusting the assurances given by the MLC. However, they will continue their protest symbolically by wearing black armbands while at work, until the govt officially announces the withdrawal of the stadium project. They also decided to refuse overtime work as part of the protest. The organisations that supported the strike also resolved to continue exerting pressure on the govt through various means until the demand is met.Among those present at the meeting were Parashurame Gowda, general secretary of People for Environment; Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha district general Hosakote Basavaraju; district convener of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Alagudu Shivakumar; Kiragasuru Shankar, district vice-president of the Sugarcane Growers' Association; and others.