Over 1,000 cadres of the Communist Party of India (CPI) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and All India Forward Bloc were arrested in the district on Thursday after they indulged in picketing agitation condemning the hike in the prices of essential commodities.
Heeding to a nation-wide agitation call, the Left parties members resorted to the stir in the city and elsewhere in the district demanding immediate measures to check the rising prices of essential goods.
A large number of CPI, CPI-M and Forward Bloc cadres carrying party flags assembled near the Chathram bus stand where they raised slogans in support of their demands. The members were arrested when they squatted on the road.
The CPI national council member A.M. Gopu, CPI-M State executive committee member, P. Sampath All India Forward Bloc district secretary, A. Joseph Sahayaraj, CPI-M district secretary S. Sridhar, CPI–M city secretary K. Annadurai and CPI city secretary K. Suresh took part in the agitation.
To ban online trading
The members demanded the government to ban online trading; initiate measures to check hoarding of food grains and its smuggling besides taking steps to strengthen the public distribution system. They also wanted the government to find solutions for drinking water shortage and measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Picketing agitations were also held at Manapparai, Lalgudi, Tiruverambur, Samayapuram, Thottiyam, Thuraiyur, Thathiengarpet, Uppiliapuram, Musiri, Vaiyampatti, Ramji Nagar, Somarasampet and Jeeyapuram.
The agitation at Manapparai was led by the CPI district secretary Indrajith; while at Tiruverambur it was led by the CPI-M union secretary K.C. Pandian. Police sources said among those arrested over 300 were women. All those arrested were later released.