Estate workers, led by CPI MLA, picket road,

: About 60 estate workers, led by local CPI MLA, M Arumugam picketed Valparai-Sholayar Dam road today, in protest against the 'apathy' of State government and local administration to improve approach roads to two estates.

Police said Arumugam, representing Valparai and workers squatted on the road to draw officials' attention to the road on the hilly area and leading to two estates--Anali and Billoni.

Some officials rushed to the spot and attempted to convince the MLA, but to no no avail.

Later a senior official spoke to the District Collector, Archana Patnaik, who reportedly assured the protestors that the issue would be taken up later as the model code of conduct was still in force, they said.
 

Based on the assurance, the agitators withdrew their picketing.