Patna: The state government on July 26 declared the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) workers' indefinite strike as illegal and invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) as two striking employees allegedly died of starvation.

Bihar Urban Development Minister Srinarayan Yadav warned of stern action under ESMA, including dismissal and withholding of pay to the staff not resuming duty from July 27.

The punishment could either be suspension, dismissal or withholding of pay, Yadav said.

The state government has decided to sternly deal with a few leaders of the striking employees who are misleading the workers, he said, adding that the government was considering a proposal to revamp the PMC.

He confirmed the death of the two PMC workers but denied that they had died of hunger.

An 18-year-old PMC worker Kalap Manjhi posted in ward number 32 who had allegedly not taken any food for a few days because of dearth of money breathed his last on July 26, PMC workers' union president Tapeshwar Singh claimed.

Another worker, Nagina Ram, had died last week of hunger and lack of medical attention leaving behind his sole survivor, an unmarried daughter, Singh claimed.

The indefinite strike by over 3,000 workers of the corporation had started from July 15.

The PMC workers have been protesting against non-payment of salary to them for the last seven months.

PTI