CITU says Tamil extremists helped Munr stir, CPI-M denies

Thiruvanthapuram, September 14: CITU, the trade union affiliated to the CPI-M, was on Monday embroiled in a row when a leader said women plantation workers’ agitation in Munr had the support of some Tamil extremists. The CPI-M later said people holding certain positions should not make irresponsible statements. A nine-day protest by more than 7,000 women plantation workers demanding better conditions, both in terms of bonus and facilities, ended on Sunday night after the Kann Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) Company Private Limited, based in the hill station of Munr in Idukki district, accepted their demand for bonus. The striking women did not allow any of the trade unions to lead their strike. On Monday, K.P. Sahadevan, state secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) affiliated to the CPI-M, told reporters in Kannur that the protest had the backing of Tamil extremist groups. “Tamil extremist groups maged to sneak into the strike that was called by the plantation workers in Munr and they were the organisers,” said Sahadevan. Soon after his statement, CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishn said responsible people holding positions should not make irresponsible statements. “There has been no support from any Tamil extremist groups to the protest at all. In the wake of the protest by the workers, it’s time the trade unions do an introspection,” he said. Sahadevan later apologised for his remarks, and said he has withdrawn the comments. (IANS)