Toddy workers’ union march turns violent

KOLLAM: A march taken out by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-affiliated Chethu-Madya Vyavasaya Thozhilali Union to the Excise office complex at Chinnakada here on Thursday morning turned violent.

The march was organised to press for the various demands of the union.

Excise officials present at the complex said the demonstrators barged into the complex and damaged the official vehicle of Assistant Commissioner T. Rajendranachary parked in the portico.

The demonstrators then broke the glass panes of the complex by throwing stones. Other vehicles kept in the complex as material evidence in Abkari cases were also not spared.

A nearby liquor outlet of the Consumerfed was also attacked.

The police did not intervene, Excise personnel said. Police sources but denied the allegation and said they had intervened and brought the situation under control. Three persons involved in the violence were arrested soon after, they added.