Chennai, September 24: Twelve members of the All-India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) have been arrested in connection with the Monday murder of Roy J George, vice-president (human resources) of Pricol Limited.
“We have charged nine members of the union with murder of Roy George, who succumbed in a private hospital to head injuries suffered in the attack with iron rods. We have also arrested another three members for property damage,” Periyanaickenpalayam Police told DNA.
The action was followed by a protest attempt by the union outside unit 1 of the auto instruments-making section of the factory on Wednesday, for which six members were taken in preventive custody.
“The demonstration had been denied permission, but six workers defied the ban,” police sources said.
Roy Goerge was murdered at Pricol, about 20 km from Coimbatore on Ooty road and 500 km from Chennai, after the company sacked 42 employees for indiscipline, including preventing capacity utilisation of the factory and stopping other workers from carrying out their duties. Factory sources said the employees were removed after they ignored repeated warnings and show-cause notices.
Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister MK Stalin said on Wednesday police were “thoroughly investigating” the case and action would be taken against the guilty.
Though labour dissension has risen in Tamil Nadu of late, with a section of workers at Hyundai and MRF staging demonstrations, such violence is unprecedented in the state.
The workers allegedly barged into the Pricol premises and attacked employees, includingRoy George. The human resources V-P was trying to initiate a dialogue with the agitating workers to bring operations back on track after AICCTU made various demands.
Pricol is hit by the slump in the automobile industry and posted its first annual loss in 32 years last fiscal. It also posted loss in the April-June quarter. Company employees have been on strike for the past two years over pay and other disputes.
—Agencies