Traders observe 'bandh' against attack on workers

Kolhapur, July 2 (UNI) Traders in the powerloom town of Ichalkarangji in this district today observed a ''bandh'', to protest against the alleged attack on some factory workers by a vigilante squad, formed by the residents of Jawaharnagar area, yesterday.

The traders, who shut their business for the day, also gathered at the Janata Chowk and took out a ''morcha'' to the Ichalkaragji sub- divisional office and submitted a memorandum listing their demands. They also submitted a copy of the memorandum to the district superintendent of police.

As many as 12 workers (all natives of Rajasthan), working in a factory in the town, were seriously injured when the vigilante squad, formed in view of growing incidents of robbery in the town, attacked them after suspecting them to be robbers, yesterday early morning.

The workers were passing through the area and had hid in the factory, after the squad started chasing them. The squad members also allegedly damaged three motorcycles, four cycles and some fixtures inside the factory. Later, the squad members fled from the spot, when police reached there.

Police later arrested about 15 people in this connection.

UNI BBK RN AG2154