According to a preliminary report on the recent protest by garment workers, the police exhibited brutality throughout the incident and in the following weeks, and there was a concerted effort by them to create an atmosphere of fear amongst the workers. The protest was against the amendment to the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
‘Human rights violation’
Civil society groups — People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Karnataka, Manthan Law, Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression, Karnataka, and other independent researchers — recently released the fact-finding preliminary report in respect of human rights violations by the police against citizens, including workers of the garment industry, surrounding factories, and bystanders in Bangalore on April 18 and 19.
Speaking to presspersons, PUCL member Ramdas Rao urged the government to release all those arrested during the protest, and withdraw all cases. The other demands include payment of compensation by police to the injured, to those who underwent psychological trauma, and missed days at work. The government should also hold a comprehensive investigation into the police brutality and remedies for the violations, he said.
There was also demand to conduct an investigation into police using institutions such as Paraspara Trust to prevent such detentions.
