PF protests: 3-day ban on assembly of more than 10 people in Bengaluru

Police on Tuesday night issued prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than 10 people across Bengaluru for three days from Wednesday after protests by garment workers turned violent.

Police issued prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than 10 people across Bengaluru for three days from Wednesday after protests over provident fund withdrawals by garment workers turned violent.

Protesters set ablaze 15 buses and attacked a police station in the country’s IT hub.

Thousands of garment workers, mostly women, staged protests on Tuesday against curbs on withdrawal of PF before attaining the age of 58 years, especially the amount contributed by the employer with government interest.

In the face of protests, the government rolled back the new norms, even as protesters set ablaze 15 buses and attacked a police station in the country’s IT hub.

“The prohibitory order banning assembly of more than 10 people in an area will come into force from midnight in the entire city to maintain peace and to prevent any untoward incident,” city police commissioner NS Megharikh told reporters.

The decision was taken at a meeting of top police officials. State home minister G Parameshwra too attended the meeting.

“We have taken about 120 people into custody for indulging in arson and violence, attacking our personnel deployed for protection of agitators and damaging public property, including state-run buses and our vehicles,” Megharikh said.

Police estimate one lakh workers from other factories and firms assembled at Bommanahalli industrial area in the south and Peenya industrial area in the north to demonstrate against the PF withdrawal norms.

“In all, 95 buses were damaged, of which 11 were fully burnt. While about 40 people were injured, 65 policemen were injured in mob attacks on them when tear gas shells were lobbed, and they were caned and chased away for blocking roads,” Megharikh added.