Port Blair, Feb 28: In support of the nation-wide Strike by central trade unions today, CITU, BMS and AICCTU and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association jointly organized mass demonstration, mass dharna and procession at different parts of Andaman andNicobar Islandsto protest against various anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government. At Port Blair, a Mass Dharna was held atTirangaParkfrom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in which workers of trade unions and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association participated. Later in the evening, a procession was taken out fromTirangaParkto Secretariat at 4 p.m. in which BSNL Employees Union also participated. At the Secretariat gate, the gathering was addressed by leaders of unions and Association. B. Chandrachoodan (CITU), Mr. M. Sadasivan and NKP Nair (AICCTU), Mr. M. Veeranna (BMS) and Mr. D. Ayyappan and Sadanand Rai (NGOs’ Association) led the Mass Dharna, procession, etc.
At Diglipur, a day-long Mass Dharna was organized in front of the Civil Station which was led by Mr. Ashokan, Mr. Rajesh Dung Dung and Mr. Madan Das. At Mayabunder, a mass demonstration was held in front of the Dy Commissioner’s office which was led by Mr. Jagat Ram and Mr. Ajay Kumar of NGOs’ Association. At Billiground, a procession was taken out in the evening at Billiground Bazar which culiminated in the public meeting. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Tapan Bepari, CPI (M) leader demanded immediate halt to the anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government. He further demanded immediate regularization of all the daily-rated and temporary status workers working in various departments under the Administration. The programme was led by Mr. S. Bawali, Mr. Mritunjay Biswas and Mr. SR Mirdha.
At Rangat, a mass demonstration was held in front of the Tehsildar Office which was led by Mr. Deepak Karmakar and Mr. Solairaj of NGOs’ Association. At Kadamtala, a massive demonstration was held in front of theGovt.Sr.Secondary School, Kadamtala in which a large number of government employees and workers participated which was led by Mr. PL Paik, Mr. KL Howlader and Mr. Probir Bhattacharya of NGOs’ Association.
At Little Andaman, a huge procession of government employees and workers and workers of Forest & Plantation Development Corporation Ltd. was taken out at Hut Bay Bazar. Mr. R. Reji and Mr. M Nookaraj led the programme.
