The demonstrations in Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru against the central government’s budgetary proposal to restrict the withdrawal of Provident Fund until the individual attains the age of 58 today intensified, triggering violent protests on the second day of the agitation.
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Some 20 people were arrested and police fired warning shots as stone-pelting protestors attacked the Hebbagodi police station, a police officer said.
The agitation began yesterday when police resorted to “mild” lathicharge to control a “mob” of garment workers who pelted stones, injuring four police personnel.
The government on Tuesday lifted the restrictions on Provident Fund (PF) withdrawal with immediate effect after 62 people, including 24 policemen, were injured in Bengaluru.
Garment industry workers were protesting over the new amendments to EPF, wherein employees are allowed to withdraw only their contribution to their provident fund accounts.
However, this is not the first time protests broke out that disrupted vehicle movement on the highway for several hours. They were able to protect the EPF office’s staff from the wrath of the protesters.
The latest controversy is centred on the government’s decision that to claim what your employer deposits for you, you must wait till you turn 58 (the age limit was earlier 54).
Massive traffic prevailed on the West of Chord Road as hundreds of garment workers took to the streets to protest at Rajajinagar Industrial Area.
He, however, condemned the violence unleashed by the garment workers.
People had also launched an online campaign against the decision, which was to be implemented from February 10 but was later put on hold till April 30.
The mob went violent in different parts of the city including Bannerghatta, Jalahalli cross, and Electronic City, where the campuses of major IT companies are situated.
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Bengaluru police commissioner N.S. Megharikh said the situation was under control, but there “are some issues” on the city’s outskirts. “The situation is being brought under control”, he said. Some workers were picked up by the police.
