New Delhi, Apr 14 (PTI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday condemned what it termed “brutal repression” of agitating factory workers in the Delhi-NCR industrial belt, alleging that BJP-ruled governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had responded with force instead of addressing workers’ demands. In a statement, the party said, “The workers have been engaged in a prolonged struggle for wage increase and the implementation of statutory benefits. Instead of addressing these legitimate demands, both the governments have let loose the police on the workers and resorted to filing false cases against workers’ leaders.” The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] also criticised attempts to discredit the protests, stating that authorities had “shamelessly insinuated that genuine protests are being instigated by external forces and branded workers’ leaders as conspirators”.
Alleging escalation in police action, the statement said, “Now, it is being reported that the police are raiding villages, indiscriminately beating up workers and arresting hundreds of them. The whereabouts of the arrested workers are not being shared with their families.” The CPI(M) said the unrest reflects a wider trend, adding: “Over the past two and a half months, workers across several parts of the country, especially in north India, have spontaneously risen in protest against inhuman working and living conditions, stagnant wages, denial of basic labour rights and the callous, pro-management attitude of labour departments.” Expressing solidarity, the party said it “demands their immediate release and the unconditional withdrawal of all cases filed against them”, and called upon the police and the concerned state governments “to put an end to all repressive and vindictive measures, and to address the workers’ legitimate demands through discussions with their representatives”. PTI AO PRK
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