The Hindu 28.07.2010
Self-immolation attempt by Corporation workers
Staff Reporter
The workers were pinned down as they tried to set themselves on fire.
KOCHI: Fifteen persons were arrested by the City Central police after they doused themselves with kerosene and tried to set themselves ablaze before the Corporation of Cochin office on Tuesday morning.
15 arrested
The arrested persons were later released on bail.
No one was injured in the incidents that involved not only the persons arrested but also the police and those who had gathered at the scene.
The arrested persons, contract labourers with the Corporation of Cochin, were pinned down as they tried to set themselves on fire protesting against what they claimed was the indifference of the Corporation authorities to their demand to be made permanent employees.
Water spray used
The police used water spray to prevent any fire before the protestors were overpowered.
A statement issued by Secretary of Thozhilali AIkya Vedi C. A. Joseph claimed here that the Left Democratic Front Government had agreed to absorb the contract labourers though no action had been taken over the last two years.
These labourers have been under the Corporation employment for 25 years, the press release claimed.
