Jute mill workers on strike, blocked roads today

Barrackpore, Jan 19 (UNI) About a hundred jute workers of Titagarh unit's National Jute Mills Corporation today blocked the busy Barrackpore Trunk Road protesting against government's Voluntary Retirement scheme and other issues.

The movement was spearheaded by the Bharatiaya Mazdoor Sangh and the NJMC Shramik Union.

Workers from more than 50 jute mills, which are being run by the private owners in West Bengal, had been observing strike since January 5 in support of the charter of demands of about 18 jute workers unions under different trade union organisations.

Police had to resort to lathicharge to remove the blockade that continued for about an hour in the morning today.

At least five protestors including two women were taken into custody, police officials said.

UNI