Hundreds of Trade Union Members Detained During Road Roko in Tiruchy

Police took hundreds of trade union members into custody on Monday after they staged a road roko demonstration in the Main Guard Gate area of Tiruchy to demand the withdrawal of key Central government policies.

Demonstrators representing unions such as the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Labor Progressive Federation (LPF), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Labour Liberation Front (LLF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) participated in the protest. The members took out a procession starting from the Tepakkulam post office towards the BSNL office before blocking the busy road while shouting anti-Centre slogans.

The protest was led by CITU Rengarajan, AITUC Ramaraj, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam Ayilai Sivasuriyan, LPF Joseph Nelson, HMS Gnanadurai, LLF Deivegan, and UTUC Sivaselvam. Following the road blockade, police personnel intervened and took the protesting union members into custody.

The agitation was centered around a 10-point charter of demands directed at the Union government. Among their primary demands was the immediate withdrawal of the four consolidated labour codes and an immediate halt to plans concerning the privatisation of public sector undertakings and the electricity network. The union leaders also demanded the revocation of the Amendment Act 2025 and the Shanti Act, along with other related provisions.

Furthermore, the protesters called for the cancellation of free trade agreements with the United States and European nations, arguing that such deals harm farmers as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). On the education front, the demands included taking action against irregularities across all examinations, including NEET and CBSE, cancelling the NEET examination entirely, and giving up the privatisation of the education sector.

Speaking to mediapersons, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam leader Ayilai Sivasuriyan stated that the nationwide agitation was organised to commemorate Quit India Movement day. Similar demonstrations were also conducted across several other districts, including Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai. In Tiruvarur district, the agitation was spearheaded by All India Agricultural Workers Union state president M. Chelladurai, CITU district president K.P. Jothi Doss, and CPI(M) district secretary T. Murugaiyan.