MYSURU: Thousands of vehicles on the highway to Bengaluru were stranded near Maddur, for at least six hours on Monday, as over 5000 garment factory women staff from Gejja lagere industrial area rushed to block traffic on the busy road.
Mr Ali Ellil, an internationally acclaimed Kerala-based ad film maker who was one among those stuck in the pile-up, told Deccan Chronicle, “Dubbing for an ad movie was scheduled for 5.30 pm in Bengaluru, but I had to wait for more than five hours before I could move. I missed a major appointment. It was not only me, but several others who were heading to Kempe gowda International airport (KIA) but missed their flights, and some sick and ailing were seen struggling during the protest,” he said.
When contacted, Mr C H Sudheer, Superintendent of Police, Mandya, said: “The garment factory staff resorted to a protest without prior permission. They were demanding withdrawal of new PF scheme by the Union Government. We tried to pacify them in every possible way, but they did not disperse so we had to wait until they left on their own.
We diverted traffic near Channapatna, Koppa circle, Rudrakshi pura and Mandya sugar cane factory. Also, we diverted buses from Mysuru towards Bannur road. Yet there was traffic traffic jam for 50 to 60 meters on either sides.
While they started the protest at 11am, we were able to clear the traffic at last at 5.30 pm or 6pm,” he added. He said though none was arrested, cases of unlawful assembly were booked against them.
