Around 250 striking Samsung electronics workers were detained and later released by the Kancheepuram police today for allegedly occupying private land without permission and holding protests without permission, Report informs via NDTV.
The workers have been on strike for a month, demanding recognition of their union, pay revision, eight-hour work schedule and other benefits.
The workers claim they have permission from the landowner to gather and protest, but authorities removed the canopy they had set up.
The workers approached the Madras High Court immediately and the court allowed them to protest peacefully.
Last night, seven Samsung workers were arrested and later released on bail for allegedly assaulting a police officer after a road accident unrelated to the protests.
Today, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu appealed to the CITU to withdraw the protest and assured that the state labor department will comply with the court order in the case over recognizing the Samsung workers' union. Claiming that the labor department could not register the union only because of objection by Samsung Electronics he assured the state would abide by the court order.
The arrest comes on a day a few leaders of the alliance parties of the ruling DMK, including the left and VCK, had scheduled to visit protesters and ultimately met them at the hall they were detained.