Sacked Maruti Suzuki workers demand release of 100 workers

Dismissed workers of Maruti Suzuki Workers' Union demanded release of over 100 workers who were arrested by the Haryana Police on May 19 during a protest demonstration in Kaithal.

"We demand the release of more than 100 workers who were arrested by the police on May 19," said Mahavir, one of the sacked Maruti Suzuki worker, in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

The agitating workers accused the Haryana government of mercilessly repressing their protest demonstration, which was planned to be held at Kaithal in front of Haryana Industries Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala's residence.

"On May 19, police brutally cane charged workers and used tear gas and water cannons on protesters at Kaithal, which included women, children and aged persons," the worker said.

"Imposition of section 144 of the IPC was clearly aimed at denying the sacked Maruti Suzuki workers and their families of their democratic right to peaceful protest," he added.

The sacked workers had planned to stage a protest demonstration on May 19, demanding release of 147 arrested workers and reinstatement of 546 permanent and 1,800 contract workers, who were terminated.