Srinagar, Nov 21: Employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd today went on a tool down strike here to protest the killing of one of their colleagues in the encounter at Badamibagh Cantonment area yesterday. Communication networks of various organisations like the CRPF, ITBP, CIB and Central Telegraph Office were affected by the strike.

The ticker lines of some news agencies also went out of order and the BSNL staff refused to undertake the restoration work. BSNL General Manager G S Marshall met the employees' union leaders who have refused to return to work today.

Kuldeep Chand, a telephone mechanic posted at BSNL's Indiranagar Exchange, was killed during the 48-hour long stand off between militants and security forces at Badamibagh Cantonment area. His body was recovered during search operations yesterday.

Bureau Report