SRINAGAR, June 13: Police Wednesday foiled a protest march by the state’s employees who were trying to move towards the civil secretariat here in Srinagar to press for their demands.

The employees were met with water canons and dozens of them were arrested.

Joint Consultative Committee-an umbrella organisation of all employees’ unions- have called for a series of protests for four days starting 13th June.

They are demanding release of payments under the sixth pay commission, regularisation of contractual employees besides a raise in the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years.

“Last year, the government had signed an agreement with us assuring that our demands would be met, but now they are retracting from their commitment,” senior leader of the JCC, Khurshid Alam said.

In May last, schools and offices remained closed for a consecutive three days due to strike by the employees. But any negotiations with the authorities remained inconclusive.

The state government had formed a panel headed by state Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, but they are yet to take a final decision on its recommendations.