India, Sept. 9 -- Protesting Punjab government employees called off their pen-down strike on Wednesday, the second day of their agitation, following an assurance from chief secretary KAP Sinha that no punitive action will be taken against them.

The state government had previously declared a "no work, no pay" rule on Tuesday and threatened strict measures against absentee staff, prompting the Sanjha Mulazim Manch-the joint forum leading the agitation-to intensify their demonstration across secretariats, deputy commissioner offices, tehsils, and state department directorates.

The forum was initially set to continue the strike till Friday, marking the second phase of a campaign that began with mass casual leave on August 27 after a schedul...