Maruti workers, sacked after Manesar violence, to protest on first anniversary of strike

Maruti shares opened 0.5% down on Thursday as about 250 workers who were sacked by the car-maker last year were set to protest at its Manesar plant near Gurgaon.

The demonstration today marks one year since labour unrest at the plant resulted in riots and the death of a senior human resources executive.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in areas surrounding the plant to prevent a confrontation between villagers from nearby areas and the agitating sacked workers. The villagers have said they will oppose any demonstartion or dharna in the area.

On July 18 last year, there was violence after a suspended Maruti Udyog worker allegedly slapped a supervisor at the Manesar plant. Workers ran amok, setting fire to a wing in the building. A senior executive was killed and over 100 people were injured.

The plant was closed for days and the company sacked nearly 2,500 workers after the violence; 147 workers, including union leaders, were jailed and are facing trial.

The protesting former workers want their jobs back and are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation investigation or an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court into the incident.

The plant is now functioning with new staff.