1 killed in fresh labour strife at Maruti plant

MANESAR: At least one person died and around 90, including three Japanese executives, were injured as labour trouble erupted at Maruti Suzuki’s plant. Production at the plant had to be stopped after workers went on a rampage and set fire to the company’s office in Manesar, 15km from Guragon.
According to sources, trouble began around noon after the management suspended a worker following a scuffle with a senior supervisor at the factory.
Workers alleged that the management passed casteist remarks which provoked the worker to slap the supervisor.
While the company and the newly-formed labour union at the troubled plant attempted to resolve the matter through talks, no solution could be found, leading to the agitation by the furious workers who also blocked the exit, not allowing executives to leave the premises.
Gurgaon DCP (East) Maheshwar Dayal said that a mob of around 3,000 people converged on gate number 2 of the plant and set fire to an office around 6.30pm after the second shift. Around 25 fire engines were rushed from Gurgaon to the factory as Manesar, an emerging industrial centre, does not have a fire station.
Although the fire was extinguished around 8pm, smoke was seen billowing even at 11pm, and the road around the gate was littered with shards of glass. A government official said that at least one burnt body had been found although identification had not been done yet. The injured were admitted to various medical centres including Gurgaon Civil Hospital.
Sources said the police had fanned out into villages around Manesar and nearly 4,000 policemen have been pressed into service. Around 40 persons have been detained so far.
Haryana chief secretary PK Choudhery told TOI that the government had taken a serious view of the matter and would not let anyone resort to violence. Haryana director general of police (DGP) RS Dalal has been rushed to Manesar as the government is keen on containing any further damage.
The Manesar plant, which produces Maruti's key Swift hatchback model, among others, was in the middle of severe labour disputes last year, leading to three crippling strikes as well as production losses running to over a thousand crore of rupees. The company, that had managed to find a settlement only towards the end of the year, was successful in moving out some of the labour elements that were leading the agitation as many of them resigned and moved out suddenly.
The company confirmed the development. "Workers at the Manesar plant turned violent, attacking and injuring executives and managers in the office premises. At least 40 managers and executives are injured, and have been rushed to hospital. The attackers also set fire to property and damaged facilities," Maruti said in a statement.
The fresh tussle is expected to break any efforts of reconciliation between the new labour union and the Maruti management to work out harmonious relations and move towards boosting production. Sources said that the situation at the factory premises is currently "grim", though the Maruti management as well as the Haryana government are trying to work out a quick settlement to the matter.
Maruti produces about 2,000 units daily at the Manesar plant and the company is expanding production at the premises. Sources said there was no trouble as yet at the adjoining diesel engine factory at Manesar, Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd (SPIL). The engine plant had also seen strikes at the time of labour unrest at the car production unit last year.