The strike by staff of the Margao Municipal Council over alleged manhandling of the Sanitory Inspector, is condemnable. 

The Civil Body staff have no right to hold the citizens at ransom by going on a full pens-down, tools-down strike. A police complaint has been lodged in regard to the alleged manhandling incident. Then why harass the common man by resorting to a strike? 

The actual reason for the strike is that the staff at MMC are unhappy over the incidents of vigilant citizens keeping a check on the corrupt inefficient administration of the body. Hence, the strike is an attempt to teach a lesson to the civil society. 

The citizenry of Goa’s commercial capital know well how the councilors and staff at MMC have long been scratching each other’s backs by involving in unholy alliance. The Directorate of Municipal Administration ought to take necessary action. ESMA must be imposed. The pay of striking workers needs to be cut.