Maruti case verdict: Gurugram on alert, workers boycott factory food

Source:- indiatimes.com

GURUGRAM: The district has been put on alert as the verdict in the labour unrest in Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Plant in 2012 is due on Friday. The district administration has imposed Section 144 and additional cops have been deployed at all sensitive spots as the workers have threatened a protest if the judgement is not in their favour. Also, the three Maruti plants and their associated factories boycotted lunch provided by the company.

Tension is expected in Gurugram as the verdict in the case will be announced at the district court on Friday. In July 2012, Awanish Kumar Dev, the then Human Resources General Manager at the Manesar plant, was burnt to death during a labour unrest. Dev’s both arms and legs were broken in the assault. As a result, he could not leave the building when it was set on fire. His charred body was recognized through the tooth implant. Also, 94 other managers and supervisors and nine cops were injured in the attack. Around 145 workers were charged with rioting with weapons, murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, assault, and trespass, among others. Out of these, 11 workers are still in jail, while the rest are out on bail.

As the verdict in the case is due on Friday, the workers have circulated an appeal to all unions across Gurugram to join in the protest. “We are apprehensive about a Pricol-type ‘life sentences’ and long-term convictions against hundreds of workers and are preparing with a call for unity of all workers and all pro-worker forces. We appeal to you to be present in the Gurgaon Sessions Court premises on the day of the judgement. We also appeal to you to be united and take solidarity actions in support of justice for all Maruti Suzuki workers facing repression by the central and state government and the company,” said the appeal by Provisional Working Committee, Maruti Suzuki Workers Union.

Thus, sensing the gravity of the situation, the district magistrate has issued prohibitory orders. It is anticipated that various unions of IMT Manesar, Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s plants in IMT Manesar and Gurgaon may protest leading to tension, breach of peace and disturb the public tranquility, danger to life and property. Therefore, gathering of five or more persons, carrying of weapons etc has been prohibited around the district courts and Maruti Suzuki’s Plant.

“The SHO of the area’s police station is responsible to implement this order. The violators will be liable to be prosecuted as per the law. These orders will continue till March 15,” said Hardeep Singh, district magistrate Gurugram.

The police department too has made arrangements to deal with any law and order situation. More than 20 companies of reserved police forces have been deployed at sensitive spots including the four Maruti Suzuki plants in IMT Manesar, Kherki Daula and Sector 18, Gurugram, at the district courts, Nehru Park, on the National Highway-8 between Rajiv Chowk and Kherki Daula junctions and at Civil Hospital. The security arrangements are being supervised by the police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar.

“The cops will be equipped with anti-riot equipment including body protector, helmets and cane shields. All DCPs and ACPs will be on surveillance and will report to the police commissioner,” said ACP Manish Sehgal.

The extensive security arrangements have been done as the workers have threatened to retaliate if the verdict is not in their favour. To display their solidarity, the workers at the Maruti Suzuki factories boycotted company lunch on Thursday and asked the management to secure the release of all workers.

“Around 20,000 workers, including permanent, contract as well as cleaning staff, in the four Maruti Suzuki plants and two associated companies – FMI and Bellsonica – did not eat the meal provided by the company,” said Kuldeep Singh, general secretary, Maruti Udyog Kamgaar Union.