Port Blair, Dec 07: Central trade unions in the country jointly observed 5th December, 2014 as National Protest Day by conducting various programmes to protest against the anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions organized various programmes at different parts of the union territory.
At Port Blair a Mass Dharna was organized at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in which leaders and workers of trade unions functioning at Port Blair and South Andaman areas participated. The Mass Dharna was followed by a public meeting at the same venue. Shri Ashok Babu and Shri Sampath Rao, All India Vice President and Asst. General Secretary respectively of the BSNL Employees Union who were on a visit to these islands, addressed the public meeting and called upon the working class in these islands to remain united under the banner of CITU for taking forward the ongoing struggles against various anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government.
Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU, A & N State Committee while addressing the meeting criticized the central government and A & N Administration for not settling any of the demands of the workers working in various departments under the A & N Administration. Speaking on the occasion, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association who explained in brief the issues raised by the central trade unions through today’s National Protest Day, said that the central government is aiming for large scale contractorisation of government works. Shri D. Laxman Rao, CITU leader said that in the absence of any democratic set up in these islands, bureaucracy takes unilateral decisions affecting the people.
At Diglipur, Mass Dharna was held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of the Office of the Asst. Commissioner. Thereafter, a massive procession was taken out at the Diglipur Bazar. Shri Madan Mohan Das led the programme.
At Rangat, a procession was taken out at the Rangat Bazar which culminated at a mass demonstration in front of the office of the Asst. Commissioner. Shri Krishnadas, Secretary, CITU Rangat Zonal Committee addressed the meeting.
