24 workers of NVH India Auto remanded in custody

Twenty-four of the 94 workers of NVH India Auto, who were taken into custody on Saturday morning for allegedly restraining others from work were kept in remand, while the rest were released, police sources said.

According to a senior police official, 24 workers were produced in court and were sent on remand, who can apply for bail later, while the rest were released on the same day of their arrest.

According to the workers, more than 100 striking workers of NVH India Auto were taken into custody from the company's Sriperumbudur plant, near Chennai, on Saturday morning.

D Christopher, secretary of United Labour Federation (ULF), said the arrested workers, including women, were kept in two wedding halls at Sriperumbudur close to the plant.

The police had said on Saturday that the 94 workers were taken into custody as a preventive measure, as they were trying to restrict the movement of goods from the factory. The management had started removing goods using the service of some contract labourers, which the permanent workers allegedly tried to stop.

The police have also booked a South Korean management official, who allegedly misbehaved with some workers on Friday.

NVH India Auto, a subsidiary of South Korean components company NVH Auto, supplies sun visors, head liners, floor carpets and other parts to car maker Hyundai.

According to K Prabhukumar, joint secretary of ULF, the issue started when 15 people were suspended for asking basic facilities and permission for setting up a union in the company. Prabhukumar was also suspended by the company.

The workers were also demanding that the company involve more permanent workers for direct production rather than using contract workers.