MADURAI
Over 1,200 members of different trade unions were arrested when they staged road roko and attempted rail roko at various places in Madurai district on Wednesday.
Around 650 members of Indian National Trade Union Congress, Hindu Mazdoor Sangh, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India Trade Union Congress and Labour Progressive Front were arrested when they attempted for enter Madurai railway junction to block train movement. HMS functionary Bather Vellai led the protesters.
However, the presence of a huge posse of police prevented them from entering the station. They then staged a road roko in front of the station before being arrested.
CITU district president R. Vasudevan said the protest was against the “anti-people, anti-workers policies of the Central and State governments”.
The Centre was bent upon privatising public sector units like LIC, railway stations and various railway services. It was only promoting multinational companies even in operating call taxis. “Another threat is allowing the MNCs in operating bus services throughout the nation. Those buses will be allowed on all routes and eventually the public sector transport system will be phased out,” he said.
Mr. Vasudevan said all labour-friendly laws were being subjected to amendments to favour big corporates and MNCs. “Instead of recruiting crew, the State government is reducing the number of buses run by corporations so that at least 18,000 people lose their jobs,” he said.
Attempts to stage rail roko at Tiruppurankundram and Tirumangalam railway stations were also thwarted.
Nandasingh (AITUC) and Alphone (LPF) were among those who took part in the protest.
Southern Railway Mazdoor Union staged a demonstration, led by its divisional secretary J.M. Rafi.
