Police cane protesting trade union workers in Mumbai

MUMBAI - Police resorted to baton charge to quell scores of trade unions activists in Mumbai who were protesting against price hike in the Union Budget.

Thousands of workers, including women, of Trade Union Joints Action Committee (TUJAC) an umbrella organization of various trade unions, took to street for Jail Bharo Andolan on Friday.

As a part of their protest, activists voiced their ire against the rise in prices of essential commodities and asserted that soaring prices have strained their livelihood.

Some of women workers were carrying their infant babies to express their discontent.

“Suddenly police began baton charge. They began hitting us mercilessly like animals and used water cannon also. They hit on me head, I fell down, somebody brought me to hospital,” said Babli Rawat, leader of Gharkamgar Molkarin Sanghatna.

“Police personnel vandalised vehicles. They also smashed the vehicle of organiser of protest, Vivekbhao Pandit, just to proof that the protest was violent. But it is not true, it was a peaceful demonstration. Now, they (police personnel) are not letting the injured to be brought to hospital,” he added.

Rising inflation, particularly in the sphere of food items, has sparked recurring street protests in various parts of the country and put political pressure on the Centre to find a solution without hurting economic recovery.(ANI)