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print versionDated: September 19, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 19 September. People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Delhi, People’s Union for Civil Rights, Haryana and Citizens’ Front in Support of Maruti Suzuki Workers’ Struggle condemn the arrest of leaders of the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union last night even while the negotiations were going on.
MSEU President Sonu Kumar, General Secretary Shiv Kumar and Ravinder were arrested by the Gurgaon police around 10.30 PM on 18 September, as soon as they came out of the meeting with Maruti Suzuki officials. Talks were on since 16 September between the union, management of Maruti Suzuki and the labour department to end the lockout forced by the company since 29 August. Talks broke down late last night when the management refused to take back the dismissed and suspended workers. Apparently, the police were prepared for this and the union leaders were arrested immediately after that.
The police had filed an FIR against Ravinder alleging his involvement in a case of scuffle with some supervisors. But there was no case against Sonu Kumar and Shiv Kumar and they were leading the negotiations with the management. It is clear that the Gurgaon police and the Haryana government are acting at the behest of the company to crush the workers’ struggle for fully justified demands.
We demand that the arrested leaders be released immediately and talks should be restarted. The state government must stop acting as an agent of the company and intervene to ensure that workers get justice.
People’s Union for Democratic Rights, DELHI
People’s Union for Civil Rights, HARYANA
Citizens’ Front in Support of Maruti Suzuki Workers’ Struggle
9910262062 (Pramjeet, PUDR), 9910462009 (Satyam, Citizens’ Front), 9812296194 (Pankaj, PUCR)
See also A letter from a Maruti Suzuki Employees Union official
Maruti Suzuki Employees’ Union
18th September
We write this at a time when our movement is under attack from all quarters, and three of our leaders, namely, Sonu Kumar (the President of MSEU), Shiv Kumar (the General Secretary of MSEU) and Ravinder, have been arrested by the police in a completely unjustified and unlawful manner.
All concerned probably know the way in which processes unfolded over the
past few weeks. Our leaders went to the negotiation table with the
management of Maruti Suzuki and the Labour Department on the 16th of
September. Talks were still going on today, when they broke down because the management stubbornly refused to take back those workers that had been thrown out.
We believe that the management, prepared for this eventuality, had already
made suitable arrangements with the police and the administration. That the government and its police have been bought over by the company management is absolutely clear. When talks broke down at about 10:15 pm today, the police spared no time in arresting our leaders. The attempt, clearly, is to cripple our movement when we have refused to back down in the face of all threats and enticements.
It is known to us that Ravinder already has an FIR filed against his name;
but Sonu Kumar and Shiv Kumar have never been charged before. However, looking at the foul play that the police are already indulging in, we are sure that our leaders will be charged of crimes they never committed.
This way or that, we will continue our struggle. We appeal to all to condemn
such acts by this unholy alliance of the police, the government and the
company management. We ask you to stand in our support, in the support of our movement, of our arrested leaders and against injustice.
Rishipal
Member, Executive Council
Maruti Suzuki Employee’s Union (MSEU)
