Workers Union threatens to halt port operations in AP

Kakinada, Mar 23 (UNI) The Kakinada Port Cargo Boats and Steel Barges Workers Union has threatened to paralyse the operations at both Anchorage port and modern deep water port if the shippers diverted second shipment of raw sugar from the Anchorage Port.

HMS-led workers union president Vanamadi Veerababu, addressing a press conference here today, said agri cargoes were being diverted from the Anchorage port, violating the assurances given by the then Minister of Ports Dharmana Prasada Rao at the time of deep water port construction that the agri products would not be diverted to the deep water port and the interests of Anchorage port workers would be protected.

''Both the Congress and the TDP governments have betrayed us.

Their promises remain unfulfilled. Though Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has assured protection to our rights, the traditional cargoes are being diverted,'' they alleged.

''The workers are very much agitated and in no mood to tolerate the injustice. If the second shipment is handled at deep water port, we will not remain silent but paralyse the functioning of both the ports,'' he added.

UNI XR/BR AJ KK BST1848