Police resort to lathicharge to disperse workers

Pathanamthitta, Nov 1(UNI) The march taken out by Solidarity Youth Movement to protest the seige laid by the workers of Harrision Malayalam Plantation Ltd around the Kumbazha Estate at Chengara turned violent today.

Police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the irate protesters, injuring ten activists.

The protest march that started from Payyanamon, four km away from Chengara, at 1030 hrs was blocked by the police at Konnappara.

Then the solidarity activists staged a sit-in on the road shouting slogans. At that time a bus carrying a marriage party reached the spot. When the police tried to make way to the bus, the solidarity workers broke the police cordon and surged forward.

The police, who were caught unawares, swung into action and the situation was brought under control by resorting to a lathi-charge.

Thereafter, the protesters retreated 100 metres from Konnappara and sat on the road for around one hour. At this, juncture District SP K K Chellappan arrived at the spot and held talks with the leaders. Around 85 activists, including leaders were arrested and let on bail.

The wind-screens of ten luxury buses, two cars and two jeeps that brought the protesters were found smashed at Attachakkal and Payyanamon. The protest march was led by Solidarity Youth Movement State President P Mujeeb Rehman.

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