Workers set factory on fire

District police chief M. L. Negi said a mob of nearly 40 persons entered the factory complex at about 1 pm, ransacked the office, smashed window panes and furniture and set the place on fire. The miscreants also thrashed the security staff of the factory.

Negi said the factory management had dismissed the 12 workers and had charge sheeted the other 30 workers about two months back. They had gone on strike in October to protest against the non-acceptance of their demands. These workers, belonging to Centre for Indian Trade Union CITU had also held a rally outside the factory complex on December 11 and had threatened the management with dire consequences.

The arrested persons include Kasam Ali, Suman, Mehar Singh, Rajender Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Anil Kumar and Jaswinder Singh. Negi said that more that more arrest are likely to made in this connection. A case has been registered under Section 436, 450, 149, 148 and 109.