CITU Leaders Arrested Amidst Protests for Workers' Reinstatement in Shimla

In Shimla, tensions rose as police detained several leaders and workers of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) during protests outside the deputy commissioner's office. The demonstration was focused on reinstating 41 employees of the Shimla Environment, Heritage, and Beautification Society dismissed amid workers' indefinite strike.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly criticized the police action, calling it unconstitutional and undemocratic. The party's state secretary, Sanjay Chauhan, accused the Shimla Municipal Corporation of suppressing worker protests through police intervention instead of addressing their demands.

Chauhan noted that the indefinite strike followed the Corporation's decision to end the workers' annual 10 percent pay raise. Although later agreements met some worker demands, concrete steps for their reinstatement remain pending, reigniting protests. The party pledged mass mobilization if detained leaders weren't released and dismissed workers reinstated.

The protests occurred a day after CITU leaders and SEHB Society workers disrupted a Shimla Municipal Corporation meeting at Bacchat Bhawan, escalating into a dispute with the mayor.

(With inputs from agencies.)