Police arrest agitating CPM workers

Puducherry, Feb 26 (UNI) The volunteers of CPI (M), including secretary Perumal and Tamil Nadu State Council member T Murugan, were arrested while staging separate road blockades in Puducherry and Karaikal to press their demands.

The agitators demanded, among other things, curbing of price hike of essential commodities, provision of 14 essential commodities through ration shops and the procurement of farm produce directly by the government.

Meanwhile, 162 persons were arrested following a road blockade against the setting up of satellite towns, at Arumparthapuram Railway gate here.

The villagers raised slogans against the acquisition of land in Kombakkam, Manaveli, Arumparthapuram, and Odeanpattu.

In another stir, the villagers of Thengaithittu hoisted black flags atop their houses in protest against the port development project here.

They demanded dropping of the project as they feared that it might adversely affect the region.

Yet in another stir, collection of electricity tarrif was affected with the bill collectors abstaining from work and holding demonstration in front of the Electricity Department Head Office here demanding due promotion, creation of new posts and provision of incentives.

UNI