Martyrs remembered

Pondicherry, July 30 (UNI) Rich tributes were paid to the martyrs of the 1936 textile agitation here today.

CPI State Secretary Na Ra Kalainathan, Party National Council Member R Viswanathan MLA and several trade union leaders were among those who paid homage to the martyrs at the memorial pillar near the Swadeshi Cotton Mills.

Silent processions were taken out by the CITU at five places to mark the occasion.

It was on July 30, 1936, textile workers in Pondicherry organised agitations against the French regime demanding eight-hour work schedule and other rights when the military shot down 12 workers.

The agitation paved way for the workers to establish their rights in 1973. The eight-hour work schedule was introduced for the first time in Asia in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

UNI PAB AJ 1408