Computer operators of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), who were protesting outside the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (Keonics) demanding for payment of their salaries, were allegedly caned by the police here on Monday.
The employees were also protesting against the removal of 270 employees from BBMP health centres here.
Tanujakshi K.M., president of the BBMP Computer Operators’ Union, said the male police personnel exercised no restraint while caning the women operators, who constitute almost 85 per cent of the 700-strong workforce.
Two women were injured. Soumya (24) was later hospitalised due to severe injuries to her hand.
Palani Swamy, general secretary of the union, said that the operators were planning to hold a demonstration in front of the Commissioner of Police’s office against the caning of employees.
Work hit
Date entry work in the BBMP headquarters and elsewhere was affected by the operators’ strike and work such as the issuance of birth and death certificates were affected.
However, the employees were told later in the evening by Keonics that two months’ salaries will be paid to them, after which the operators decided to return to work on Tuesday.
Blame game
Meanwhile, BBMP and Keonics officials have shifted blame on each other about the continuing problem.
While Keonics officials, with regard to the removal of 270 operators, said the contract to run the health centres had ended in May and BBMP was yet to clear the Rs. 27 lakh bills, BBMP officials, agreeing that the contract had ended, said Keonics had been asked to continue work until the new vendor takes over.
