Company and police responsible for the April 6 incident, alleges fact finding team

The management of a private oil company is responsible for the unforeseen happenings on the factory premises on April 6 while the Modakkurichi police is also responsible for poor handling of the situation and escalating the tension among the workers, alleged a six-member fact finding team here on Wednesday.

Seven police personnel were injured after North Indian contract workers resorted to violence demanding compensation for the death of their colleague who was run over by a copra-laden lorry on the factory premises. Modakkurichi police registered a case under 11 sections and arrested 40 workers and lodged them at Coimbatore Central Prison.

A team comprising K. Balasubramaniam, State Executive Committee member of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Venkatesan, Rajasekar, Muthu, M. Bharathimohan of the All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice and Balu of Puratchikara Ilaignar Munnani visited the factory and spoke to the workers, management staff and also to a few inmates at the Coimbatore Central Prison.

Addressing the media after submitting a report to District Revenue Officer C. Santhoshini Chandra, Mr. Balasubramaniam said the lorry driver, instead of driving the vehicle to the left, moved right, which led to the accident. “The genuine demands of the workers seeking compensation and urging the management to give it in writing was not fulfilled”, he alleged and added that the seven-member police team was keen on shifting the body when talks were in progress. 

He claimed that the management failed to pacify the workers who were angered by the death of their colleague and allegedly instigated the police to lathicharge the workers. “Action should be taken against the management and the police team who acted irresponsibly”, he demanded.

Mr. Balasubramaniam said that after receiving blows, workers started to retaliate. “But, registering attempt to murder case against 100 workers and arresting 40 of them is injustice”, he said and wanted the case to be withdrawn against the workers.

The report wanted the Labour Department officials to inspect the factory and ensure all labour welfare laws were implemented and salary was paid directly to the workers savings bank account and not through mediators. The report also called for improving basic amenities in labour camps and also providing food in factory canteen at concessional price.