Tension in Munnar as unions try to disrupt sit-in by women

Tension prevailed in Munnar town today when some trade union activists raised slogans and tried to disrupt the sit-in by women tea plantation workers, who once again launched their agitation demanding minimum basic pay of Rs 500.
Apparently angered with members of the 'Pembalai Orumai' not joining in the strike called by the united trade unions of plantation workers, who have been agitating since the past three days across the state demanding wage hike, some workers tried to barge into the sit-in dharna by the women workers at Munnar and raised slogans.
At least four police personnel and some media pesonnel were injured in stone-pelting incident during the melee.

The women had spearheaded a nine-day stir early this month, which was called off following talks Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had with the management on the 20 per cent bonus issue.
However, the wage hike talks had failed twice following which the women workers today decided to launched their agitation once again from today.
"Four police personnel and some media personnel were injured in the stone throwing", ASP Merin Joseph told PTI.

The situation is now under control, she said, adding, agitators have now dispersed.
The plantation workers are demanding a minimum pay of Rs 500 from the present Rs 232.

Women from different estates joined the strike at the agitation venue here. They said they are prepared for a wage agreement and were prepared to call off agitation if there was such an agreement.