Hyderabad,January 28:The president of Regency Ceramics, one of the largest tiles manufacturer in the country, located at Yanam in Puducherry was hacked to death Friday morning by his workers, just hours after a trade union leader died allegedly due to police beating.
The factory workers attacked K C Chandra Shekhar at his residence after they learnt about the death of their union leader M Murali Mohan.
Police had detained Murali Mohan after the company lodged a complaint against him for allegedly inciting workers to agitate for better wages on Thursday night. He was released within a few hours.
On Friday, Murli Mohan accompanied by some workers tried to obstruct other workers from going to the factory for the morning shift. A large posse of policemen posted at the factory gates for security beat up Murli Mohan who collapsed on the spot.
Yanam Police admitted Murli Mohan to a local hospital where he died.
As the news spread, hundreds of workers descended at the factory and went on a ramage, smashing vehicles, equipment, window panes and office furniture. They also set fire to about 30 vehicles. The workers then went to the house of Chandra Shekhar where an argument broke out following which he was hacked to death.
Police baton charged the workers and, when it failed to stop them, fired tear gas shells and then opened fire injuring three workers. Curfew has been imposed in the town, Circle Inspector P Periaswamy said.
Police said Yanam Police sought additional police forces from Andhra Pradesh, and reinforcements were rushed from East Godavari district.