Three activists murdered in Chamba, claims CITU

Chamba, Jun 11 (UNI) Three activists of the Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) were murdered by criminals hired by a construction company, executing the Chamera-III power project in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh last night, CPM state secretariat member Sanjay Chauhan today claimed.

The three, identified as Chamba district Union President Baburam, and two other activists Vijay and Dhami, were first beaten by sticks, hockey sticks and iron rods at Khada Mukhi, about 72 kms from Chamba, and later thrown into the Ravi river by the company men, Mr Chauhan told UNI here.

Mr Chauhan said the incident occurred at about 2100 hrs, while the three were returning home after participating in a one-day strike called by the CITU to protest violation of the labour laws by the company.

The matter only came to the notice after one of the union activist, Pramod Kumar, accompanying them escaped unhurt in the incident and reported it to the district committee of the union, he said.

The murder of the CITU activists comes hours after the union supported one-day strike ended at the construction site of the project Despite best efforts, no senior district official was available for comment with the district deputy commissioner and SP still at the incident site.

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