Trade Unions Demand End of Maruti Lockout, CBI Probe



Gurgaon: A group of trade unions demanded withdrawal of the lockout at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant and a CBI probe into the July 18 violence at the unit that led to the death of a senior executive, and left over 100 injured. A coordination committee, including four trade unions and factory leaders, was formed to look into the matter. Leaders from the trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India Trade Union Congress and Indian National Trade Union Congress, held a meeting in Sector 4 here. Maruti's Gurgaon plant union leader Kuldeep Janghu said that there could be a conspiracy behind the Manesar violence. He said that an inquiry by the special investigation team was not enough and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. Workers said that they would meet Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday to brief him about the demands of Maruti workers. They alleged that police had targeted innocent workers and most of them were arrested from their homes and not the plant. Unions leaders from Honda, Hero Gurgaon, Hero Dharuhera, Maruti Suzuki powertrain, Suzuki bike, Eastern Medicate, Sona steering, all three units of RICCO, Satyam Auto and Aircon Carrier were present in the meeting. They said that state government and the Maruti management must take initiatives to resume work at Manesar. Maruti's senior executive Awanish Kumar Dev was killed and nearly 100 people were injured after the workers went on a rampage. The plant has shut down operations after the incident July 18.
Source: IANS