**Bhubaneswar:** Pressing for fulfillment of 6-point charter of demands, the members of Odisha Havildar Constable and Sipahi Mahasangh on Wednesday launched its agitation as decided earlier.
As a mark of protest, they will be wearing black badges for two days.
The Mahasangh has decided to resort to cease work from September 23 if the demands are not met while the Odisha Assembly is on from today till September 29.
Around 60,000 Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP), constables and havildars have joined the stir.
The prime demands are grade pay increase, DA increase, Special Diet Allowance increase, abolition of contractual appointments, change in cadre rule, etc.
Talking to media, Odisha Havildar Constable and Sipahi Mahasangh president Prasant Mahapatra said, “Today we held discussion with the Home Department Principal Secretary and DGP here. The Home Secretary said our demands need to be discussed with the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio. He assured to fix an appointment with the Chief Minister for discussion very soon. A high power committee has been formed and the demands are under consideration and re-discussion on them is also afoot”.
On being asked what is their future course of action as they have threatened to go in for cease work from September 23, Mahapatra said, “Now I’ve to discuss with our 50 branches and take the future course of action. Our strike can’t be termed unsuccessful as it has now paved the path for discussion with the Chief Minister”.
