Opposition backs bandh over Yanam violence

PUDUCHERRY: Leaders of various political parties, who met here on Monday, decided to support the bandh call given by the trade unions on February 2 to protest death of union leader M S Murali Mohan as well as injuries to nine people during police action in Yanam region of the Union Territory.CPI Puducherry unit secretary, R Viswanathan,  informed the decisions of the meeting at a press conference. Condemning the violence, the CPI leader, who addressed the reporters along with other leaders of political parties, said the meeting has decided to urge the government to conduct a probe by a HC judge into the violent incidents in Yanam that took place following the “lock up death” of trade union leader Murali Mohan.The meeting demanded the arrest of police officials responsible and their immediate suspension as well.The former minister said the meeting had also decided to write to the SC/ST commission and home ministry about the Yanam incidents.He  charged that government and the officials of the administration always acted in favour of the factory management in the dispute.Squarely blaming the AINRC government, Viswanathan said the government was responsible for the turn of events, which resulted in large-scale violence and added that Rangasamy, like on many other issues, was keeping silent.The meeting also decided to urge the UT government to sanction a solatium of `25 lakh to the family of Murali Mohan and give `10 lakh for the nine workers injured in the firing and police action.CID to probe TU  leader’s deathThe CID wing of the Puducherry Police (PP) will conduct an enquiry into the alleged custodial death of trade union leader in Yanam.Leaders may meet CM Leaders of various opposition political parties are likely to meet CM, on Tuesday, to discuss the Yanam violence. A final decision on going ahead with the bandh plan may emerge depending on the outcome of the meet.Plea to Drop Bandh Chamber de Commerce president K A Shenbagarajan appealed to the opposition political parties, on Monday, to desist from the proposed bandh on February 2 called to protest the death of a trade union leader in Yanam.