Three buses set on fire, one police station attacked
Sreekanth A. Nair
It was a shocking day for IT city Bengaluru as thousands of textile workers occupied roads and streets on Tuesday to protest against the Central Government’s decision to impose some restrictions on the conditions of Provident Fund (PF) withdrawal, which was withdrawn later on.
Three buses were set on fire and the mob attacked a police station while traffic movement was blocked in different parts of the city.
According to police, the protestors set two Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses and one of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus on fire. They attacked Hebbagodi Police Station and pelted stones at the station building. Several seized vehicles parked in the police station compound were also burned.
Surprisingly, the protestors were gathered at their own will and there were no trade organizations or leaders to head them.
The mob went violent in different parts of the city including Bannerghatta, Jalahalli cross, and Electronic City, where the campuses of major IT companies are situated.
Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and Bengaluru-Hosur road, both important roads connecting the IT hub with adjacent cities, were blocked for hours by the protesters.
There are about 12 lakh workers in the garment sector of Bengaluru. Workers from other sectors also joined the protest on Tuesday.
Finally, the police used tear gas, and batons to control the mob.
“We are at work, our officers are at the spot, reinforcement has already gone there. The situation is being brought under control,” City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh told The Indian Express.
Commissioner said that an investigation would be initiated to know whether the reports claiming that a policeman fired at the mob during the agitation.
“There seems to be no leader for this protest. The police have acted with great restraint,” said State home minister G Parmeshwara.
Following the protests, the Central Government withdrew the condition that workers can withdraw only 50 percent of their PF savings before retirement and will have to wait till 58 to withdraw the employer’s share of the PF.