A total of 1,080 Centre of Indian Trade Unions cadres were arrested when they attempted to block traffic at 12 places in the district on Tuesday to highlight their demands.
The protestors said a minimum salary of Rs. 15,000 should be given to all labourers and eight-hour duty ensured. Labour welfare laws should be strictly implemented.
The police arrested 169 persons at Tirunelveli Junction and 911 protestors at 11 places across the district.
As the agitators, who had gathered in front of Parasakthi Building tried to move towards the busy junction near Lakshmi Vilas Sweets, they were stopped by the police, which triggered an altercation between the police and the protestors.
In the agitation organised in Kanyakumari district, a total of 593 persons were arrested.
They were released in the evening.
Tuticorin
As many as 716 CITU cadres, including 241 women, were arrested at various places across Tuticorin district. Traffic was affected for a while as the agitating cadres blocked the road opposite Tuticorin old bus stand.
They raised slogans condemning State and Central governments for their “anti-labour” policies and appealed to both the governments to withdraw them.
Leading the agitation, R. Russell, State secretary of CITU, said due recognition for welfare boards of the working class formed by the government should be given and efforts made to regulate the welfare boards.
Agitations were also held at Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur, Kayathar, Vilathikulam, Ettayapuram, Srivaikuntam and Udangudi.
