Over 500 people held in CPM-led Protests Against Centre’s Policies in TN

As many as 521 protesters, 132 of them women, were detained across Thoothukudi district on Monday during road roko and jail bharo protests led by the CPI(M) against the Centre’s labour and agricultural policies. 

The agitation, organised by the trade unions and farmers’ associations affiliated to the Left parties, on Quit India Movement day, with the slogan ‘Save India, Save Indian people’, was held to demand withdrawal of the four labour codes, scrapping of agreements with the US and UK which the protesters claimed would adversely affect farmers, and abolition



of the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging that its functioning had affected employment and educational opportunities for youngsters.

In Thoothukudi, the protesters staged a road roko near the smart city bus stand and raised slogans against the BJP-led Central government. Similar protests were held at Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, Srivaikundam, Tiruchendur and Seyyathunganallur in the district, and 521 protestors were detained across the six centres in the district. The arrested protestors, kept in marriage halls in their respective towns, were released later in the evening.