Honda workers to hold rally today, villagers warn against violence

An uneasy calm prevailed in the auto belt of Manesar following apprehension of a clash between workers of Honda Motors & Scooters India (HMSI) Union and local villagers.

An uneasy calm prevailed in the auto belt of Manesar following apprehension of a clash between workers of Honda Motors & Scooters India (HMSI) Union and local villagers.

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Panchayats of local villages have warned that they would "intervene" if the Honda workers resorted to shouting anti-management slogans or indulge in violence. The Honda workers union has declared they will hold a rally on Wednesday to mark the 7th anniversary of the violent unrest of 2005 as 'Unity Day' outside the factory gates in Manesar.

As a precautionary measure, the Gurgaon administration and police department held separate meetings with Honda union leaders and panchayat leaders on Monday evening and requested to them to maintain calm and refrain from engaging in any confrontation.

The administration has also imposed Section 144 of CrPc, prohibiting rallies, assemblies, processions and carrying of firearms and weapons. The police have called in extra 1,200 personnel from other districts for Wednesday.

The Honda workers' union claimed that they had informed the administration about their Wednesday rally but the administration said no permission had been sought. More than 5,000 workers from Honda as well as other factories in the area are expected to attend the rally.

And it isn't just the administration who is fearing something untoward might happen. Ashok Yadav, of the HMSI workers' union, said, "We fear confrontation with the local villagers, though our meeting at the gates of the Honda plant under the union would be peaceful."

"We have already conveyed to the Honda workers union to keep their gate meeting restricted to condoning the police assault on their colleagues in 2005. If they try to create an anti-industry sentiment, we will oppose it," said Rao Abhey Singh, ex president, Gurgaon Zila Parishad who presided over the mahapanchayat of 50 villages held recently.