Bengaluru: Workers' protest turns violent; highway blocked for 10 hours

April 19, 2016

Bengaluru, Apr 19: Protests by thousands of garment factory workers against the Centre's new policy on provident fund (PF) withdrawal here on Monday turned violent, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge and firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

violentAt least 22 police personnel, a press photographer and scores of agitators were injured in the violence. The police were caught unawares as the workers held meetings inside their factory premises around Bommanahalli area after the management announced that they will implement the new PF policy which prevents employees from getting the employers' contribution if they quit before attaining 58 years of age.

The protesters resolved to march to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation office at Singasandra, near Bengaluru-Hosur national highway, and submit a memorandum. As they reached the highway, they decided to block the road, bringing traffic to a grinding halt for more than three hours as vehicles were stranded from Silk Board junction to Attibele Gate.

The police, who were outnumbered, decided to summon additional forces to deal with the situation. By the time forces reached the spot, the mob went berserk. After several warnings, the police used force to disperse the protesters.

On Bannerghatta Road, around 10,000 women garment workers, employees of Shahi Exports Pvt Ltd and K Mohan and Co Exports Pvt Ltd, staged a protest between Hulimavu and Arkere signals. Police fired tear gas shells after their efforts to persuade protesters from lifting the road blockade proved futile.

Cop thrashes press photographer

A policeman in plain clothes attacked press photographer Srikanta Sharma R who was clicking pictures of the brutal lathi-charge on women protesters on Bannerghatta Road on Monday.

The policeman, attached to the Hulimavu station, not only injured Sharma on his left thigh, but also broke his camera lens and then confiscated it, knowing very well that Sharma was just doing his job. When asked if he had permission to use force, the policeman turned furious and verbally abused Sharma, and even punched him in the face.

The camera was recovered only after DCP (South) Lokesh Kumar and other senior police officers intervened. Such was his audacity, that when asked why he attacked a photojournalist, the policeman threatened Sharma of serious consequences in the presence of his higher-ups.

Highway blocked for 10 hrs

Thousands of vehicles were stranded on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway for more than 10 hours after 4,000 garment employees blocked the road near Maddur on Monday.

Comments

KhasaiKhaane
 - 
Tuesday, 19 Apr 2016

Can Any of the Sanghis explain this Modimnomics of PF withdrawal ?

#ACHEDINAGAYE

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News Network
June 3,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 3: Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday intensified preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in a bid to make air-travel contactless.

The airport has introduced contact-less self-check-in kiosks, non-intrusive thermal cameras, self bag drop facility and other features.

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) had earlier said that it will ensure that the taxis are sanitised and the drivers are screened before every trip to eliminate all chances of infection.

"Drivers have been instructed to maintain a safe distance. They will be encouraged to use hand sanitiser and face masks to make the car a safe space. Able-bodied passengers are advised to load their luggage into the car without the driver's assistance. For elderly citizens and passengers with reduced mobility, drivers will assist while following hygiene measures," BIAL statement had said.

The masks have been made mandatory for both drivers as well as passengers.

Karnataka on Monday reported 187 new cases of coronavirus, with which the State's total COVID-19 count has surged to 3,408.

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News Network
January 10,2020

Davanagere, Jan 9: Residents of SVR colony of Channagiri Taluq here on Thursday built a temple in the memory of a male monkey, who died here 'unexpectedly'.

A group of monkeys entered the SVR colony around three months back. The monkeys have never disturbed anybody in the area and they used to play with children living in the colony.

Locals said that the monkeys are very obedient to them.

Unfortunately, one of the monkeys died suddenly on Wednesday, causing distress among people who were very fond of him.

Showing their love for the deceased monkey, locals performed his final rite according to Hindu tradition.

Later, the residents approached the president of the village Panchayat to allot funds to build a temple in the monkey's memory.

The construction of the temple has already begun in the area at the same place where the monkey's funeral was conducted.

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News Network
March 6,2020

Mysuru, Mar 6: A BJP worker was stabbed to death by unidentified persons at his apartment in Mysore in the early hours of Friday, police said.

Anand in his early thirties, was reportedly attacked with a broken beer bottle shortly after he returned home following his late night birthday party, police added.

Following information from neighbours in the apartment, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body.

"The murder took place between 3 am and 4 am. We are investigating who was with him at the time and what was the motive behind the killing," Mysuru police Commissioner Dr Chandragupta told reporters.

Police said further investigations are on to ascertain the motive and people behind the killing.

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