CITU organizes Mass Dharna and Processions in A & N Islands

Port Bair, Sept 02: In support of the All India General Strike by 10 central trade unions, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions(CITU) organized Mass Dharna and Processions at various places of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today against the anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government.

At Port Blair, the CITU and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association jointly organized a Mass Dharna from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar in which a large number of employees and workers from different government departments and private sector participated.

Shri GP Mondal, Shri R. Surendran Pillai and Shri SL Vinjit addressed the participants in the Mass Dharna. In the evening, a public meeting was also organized at the Tiranga Park. Addressing the meeting, Shri SN Mishra, Vice President of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, who presided, expressed concern over the delay on the part of the central government in settling various demands of central government employees.

Speaking on the occasion, B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary of the CITU A & N State Committee criticized the NDA government at the Centre for pursuing various anti-working class policies. The BJP-led Central Government is going ahead with its proclaimed policy of blatant privatization of public sector undertaking, he said.

He also expressed concern over the move on the part of the BJP government at the Centre and in several States to amend the existing labour laws at the cost of workers to appease corporate sector and said that the CITU and other central trade unions will continue to oppose such anti-working class policies of the central government. Shri B.N. Mondal, Joint Secretary, SATB, NGOs’ Association and Shri SP Kalairajan, Circle Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, Port Blair also addressed the well-attended public meeting.

At Diglipur, Mass Dharna was organized at Diglipur Bazar. In the evening, a procession of several hundreds of workers and employees, was held which was led by Shri Madan Mohan Das, Secretary, CITU Diglipur Zonal Committee.

At Rangat, a mass demonstration was held in front of the office of the Assistant Commissioner in which a large number of workers participated. The programme was led by Shri Krishnadas and Shri Adaickan.

At Baratang, a huge procession of workers was taken out at Nilambur which was led by Shri Daniel Aind. Reports from other areas are yet to be received.