Agitating NLC contract workers arrested

Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, Apr 5 (UNI) As many as 1,620 contract workers of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), including 24 women, were arrested today when they picketed Mine-I Extension, demanding implementation of their 13-point charter of demands.

Police said the workers were arrested as they staged the agitation without police permission.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the trade union affiliated to it also staged an agitation here, expressing solidarity with the striking contract workers.

While the NLC management claimed that the strike had no impact on power production, the striking contract workers claimed that the present power production was below 1,500 MW as against the total capacity of 2,490 MW.

The 13,000-odd NLC contract workers have been on an agitational path since March 29, demanding regularisation of services, among other things.

They decided to resort to a picketing agitation in front of the three mines and three thermal power stations of NLC from April 2-7 as part of intensifying their stir.

About 1,000 police personnel have been deployed in Neyveli in view of the strike.

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