Chennai: Granting bail to 167 workers of a multi-national company (MNC), arrested and lodged in prison for staging a demonstration in Kancheepuram relating to employment, the Madras high court has said they cannot be treated as hardened criminals and these matters cannot be solved by use of police force.
Justice P. Devadass said they did not possess any lethal weapons. The police or public or officials are not their enemies. They have grievances with their management.
While pulling up the labour leaders, the judge said they must be held responsible for this unsavory incident. The workers are like dumb driven cattle. Leaders must be responsive and they must lead the workers on the proper path and achieve their objective in a democratic way.
The counsel for the petitioners said the workers agitated in connection with certain issues relating to their employment on August 15, 2014. However, they were implicated in a case and lodged in Vellore prison.
The workers were ready to cooperate with the investigation agency and will not abscond, he added. Granting bail, the judge ordered the workers be released on their own bond for Rs 5,000 each to the satisfaction of the superintendent, central prison, Vellore.
They were directed to report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation.
