Villagers picket PWD office in Pondy

Puducherry, June 18: The residents of Shanmugha Nagar at Ariyankuppam near here today picketed the office of the PWD Junior Engineer and locked the main gate to press their demands.

The villagers alleged that the department had not taken any action even after their repeated complaints on drinking water scarcity.

Junior Engineer Tamizharasan held talks with the agitators and assured them to settle their problems. However, the villagers threatened to block the traffic on the Cuddalore road tomorrow if action was not taken immediately.

Meanwhile, the technical staff of the Lingareddippalayam Cooperative Sugar Mills here began a relay fast before the legislative assembly, demanding an enhancement in their salary and filling up of vacant posts, among other things.

The coolies of the Grand Bazaar here took out a procession and staged a demonstration before the legislative assembly, demanding the setting up of a welfare board and provision of red colour ration cards.

UNI