Ambala, April 14 -- The firefighters in Haryana on Tuesday have gone on a strike to press for a 20-point charter of demands, including the granting of 'martyr' status to the personnel who lost their lives in the Faridabad steel factory fire incident.

Consequently, they have alleged that fire services in the state have been left entirely to the mercy of fate. The firefighters have stated that if the government does not take heed by April 17, their strike could well become indefinite.

The strike comes at a time when the farmers' crops ripen and are ready to harvest, a prime time for a fire incident to occur.

The statewide strike by the Fire Department at such a critical juncture serves as a grave warning for the farming community.

Earli...