Labour groups clash, 66 injured

NASHIK, FEB. 17. Nearly 66 people, including 42 policemen, were injured in a fresh incident of riots between two labour groups - members of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and National Industrial Workers Union (NIWU) - who clashed at the Goyal Industry premises, in Industrial Co-operative Estate, Musalgaon of Sinnar Taluka of Nashik district on Friday evening.

This is the third such incident in the city within a month, following riots due to demolition of a religious place and the desecration of a bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. According to the police sources, tension started when some members of the CITU working for the Goyal Industries joined the NIWU. Other members, in an attempt to persuade them to rejoin the group, gathered in front of the industrial premises and tried to coax the others to change their stand. This led to the clashes between the two groups which eventually took a riotous turn.

The mob indulged in stone-throwing and did not spare the police when they rushed to maintain law and order. The mob even tried to burn the police van by throwing a burning clout on it. Police fired two shots in the air to dispel the mob. The injured were admitted to the civil hospital.

Police have arrested 44 people for rioting and extra police force and State Reserve Police have been deployed to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, the workers group have threatened to go on strike as a protest against the manhandling of the CITU leader, Mr. Mukund Ranade

- UNI

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