CM Yogi Adityanath invokes ESMA in Uttar Pradesh, bans strike for 6 months

ESMA gives police the power to arrest anyone without a warrant, for violating its provisions.

CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in Uttar Pradesh. This act prohibits strikes in all state government departments and corporations for six months. A notification to this effect was issued on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said. This Act simply gives state police power to arrest anyone without any warrant if they violate its provision. The official statement released by the state government states that the strikes have been banned with immediate effect on all public services, including big corporations and local authorities owned or controlled by the state government.