The Hindu Business Line : Suspension issue: Honda workers clash with police

The charred remains of a vehicle belonging to the sub-divisional magistrate at the site of violence that broke out between the agitating workers of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and the police in Gurgaon on Monday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , July 25

AROUND 100-150 employees of the Gurgaon manufacturing unit of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) were injured on Monday in a violent clash with the local police, while protesting against the company's management for sacking four employees.

HMSI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's Honda Motor Co Ltd and has been witnessing workers' unrest for the past several months. About a month ago, the company sacked four employees, while 15 others were temporarily suspended on charges of insubordination.

Reports from the scene indicate that there was provocation from a section of the workers, who attacked the policemen and burnt the sub-divisional magistrate's vehicle. Later, the police retaliated very strongly, injuring a large number of workers. A deputy superintendent of the police was also injured during the violence.

The workers started their protest from the Kamla Nehru Park in Gurgaon and were on their way to the mini secretariat when the violence occurred.

The Left parties as well as the Opposition are likely to raise the matter in Parliament today.

HMSI has a total capacity of 2,000 scooters and motorcycles per day. The company employs 1,900 workers, of which around 100 are still working at the plant.

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