HC dismiss a pvt firm plea for police protection

: The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a private industrial unit seeking police protection to quell employees who were on a peaceful demonstration to press for their demands.
Justice P Devadass, dismissing a petition filed by M/s. CNF Automotive India Pvt Limited at Oragadam, seeking police protection to the factory premises, officials and employees, said: "Any justifiable form of labour agitation to achieve justifiable demands cannot be thwarted or crushed using police force under the garb of enforcing the rule of law."
Noting that police protection could not be ordered in anticipation of trouble from employees who are about to form a trade union, Justice Devadass said such orders would lead to many unpleasant consequences and complications, while dismissing the company's plea.

Government advocate told the court that there was no threat of law and order problem from employees' side and that they were trying to form a union. As workers are on a 'go-slow' mode, the management has been trying to disintegrate them by using police force, he said.