Striking diamond workers go on rampage in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Jul 5 (UNI) Agitating Diamond workers, demanding a 20 per cent hike in labour charges, today struck work in the city and went on a rampage, and pelted stones at police personnel.

Surat diamond workers had received a 20 per cent rise in labour charges, a week ago. Taking cue from their Surat counterparts, diamond workers here went on strike, to press for a similar hike in the labour charges.

Thousands of diamond workers in the city demonstrated before the diamond cutting-polishing units in different parts of the city.

They initially pelted stones at the units and then went on a rampage.

As the mob became violent, the police was summoned. Police resorted to lathi-charge, which enraged the workers more and they started pelting stones at the police.

Police had a tough time in controlling the situation.

Sources at Ahmedabad Diamond Association said the negotiations between managements of different units and workers were on and an amicable solution was expected very soon.

UNI HT SR OBB GT GC1845