Bengaluru: The ongoing protests in Bengaluru against the Centre's new norms on Provident Fund withdrawal escalated on Tuesday with widespread arson and violence in the peripheral areas of the city, mainly the highways that lead to the city.
Four buses were torched, several private vehicles damaged. An angry mob also vandalised Hebbagodi police station. Six women in different areas suffered injuries as police resorted to lathicharge and firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesting workers.
Read: Bengaluru: Garment workers lay siege to IT hub
The workers demanded the rollback of changes in rules governing their Provident Fund. Under the changed rules, people can withdraw only a part of their Provident Fund before retirement.
WATCH: Police use tear gas shells as protest by garment factory workers in Bengaluru turns violenthttps://t.co/mvTMWG5IyX
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Garment factory workers were most vocal in their protests. They gathered in thousands on Hosur Road, Tumkur Road and Bannerghatta and Mysore roads leading to traffic pile up running into several kilometres. The situation ran out of control as police failed to reign in mobs who gathered in several places. The garment factory workforce run into lakhs.
Garment factory workers protest against Government's decision on withdrawal of Provident Fund. (Photo: Twitter)
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) suspended services in the Tumkur, Mysore and Hosur segments. Metro operations too have been suspended. Police resorted to canning in Kanteerva Stadium, Dasarahalli, Jalahalli, RMC Yard. Police used tear gas shells and lathicharge to disperse the protesters in Gottogere and Hebbagodi.
The BIOCON office was attacked in Electronics City. (Photo: DC) Protestors attacked the BIOCON office in Electronics City and vandalized several parts of the city like Gottigere, Electronics City, Singsandra, Boomanahalli, Goreguntapalya, Tumuru, HSR Layout, Bellandur Gate, Sarjapur, Hulimavu.
Read: Garment workers' protest: It was the IT hub’s sheen that was torn asunder
In Bommanahalli, several vehicles were set on fire. Safety concerns mounted as goods vehicle carrying as many as 15 LPG domestic cylinder were among the vehicles that were set ablaze.
