Protests demanding the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations
The members of the Pudhucherry government employees associations have been making various demands, including the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, the bringing back the former pension scheme, filling up the vacancies, and constituting the Redressal forums. They had announced that they would take leave of absence for a day and protest at the Chief Secretariat, demanding the implementation of their 34-point charter.
The employees assembled near the Pudhucherry General Post Office on Wednesday. They then took out a procession to the Chief Secretariat. Despite the fact that the police did not permit it, the procession began.
The procession was conducted by Sitaraman, the president of the government employees union. Honourary president Balamohanan led the procession. Office-bearers, including Premdasan, Christopher, Pughazendhi, and Namasivayam, participated in the procession.
The police tried to stop the procession when it reached Rangapillai Street-Ambur Road junction, but the members tried to continue. This led to heated arguments and tussles between the employees and the policemen. When the situation worsened, the employees squatted in the middle of the road, condemning the actions of the cops. This disrupted the traffic on the road. Finally, the representatives of the employees union and the police officers began to negotiate.
Eventually, the police permitted the protesters to continue with their procession for a distance. When the members reached the Ambalathadaiyar Mutt Road–Ambur Junction, they were arrested by the police.
220 people were arrested and released after some time.