The protests, which continued into the morning of September 11, resulted in major delays and cancellations of numerous flights, leaving passengers stranded at the airport.
The striking workers are demanding that the government revoke the deal with Adani Group, claiming that the takeover would negatively impact their rights and working conditions.
They have vowed not to return to work until the government addresses their concerns and cancels the agreement. As a result, no planes have been able to land or take off for hours, causing a significant backlog in flight schedules.
In an effort to restore order, the government deployed National Youth Service (NYS) trainees to take control of the situation.
The NYS is often called upon to assist in public service operations, including during strikes or protests. However, in this case, the trainees were met with strong resistance from the determined protesters.
Videos circulating on social media show the NYS trainees arriving at the airport and attempting to take charge, but they quickly realized they were unable to handle the situation.
The protesters, who were resolute in their stand, refused to back down, making it difficult for the trainees to bring the situation under control. After recognizing that they could not manage the unrest, the NYS trainees boarded their bus and left the airport.
With the departure of the NYS trainees, police officers were called in to take over. Law enforcement has since been trying to manage the protests and restore normal operations at the airport. In the process, several protesters have been arrested for participating in the strike.
The protests have attracted attention from various leaders, including Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
Atwoli has strongly condemned the arrests of the workers, stating that the protesters were within their rights to demonstrate against the airport's takeover.
He has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested individuals, arguing that peaceful protests are a legitimate means of expressing grievances.
Atwoli's statement has added pressure on the government to address the workers' concerns and take swift action to resolve the situation. So far, there has been no official response from the government regarding the deal with Adani Group or the workers' demands.
The ongoing protests have severely impacted JKIA's operations, with hundreds of passengers left in uncertainty as flights remain delayed or canceled. Travelers are facing long waits at the airport, with many frustrated by the lack of communication and clarity on when normal services will resume.
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