50 activists arrested for trying to stage 'rail roko' in support of job demands

COIMBATORE: About 50 activists of various political parties and organisations were arrested here today when they tried to stage a 'rail roko',demanding employment to Tamils in Central government offices in the state.

Led by K Ramakrishnan, General Secretary, Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam, the agitators raised slogans in support of their demands, including job oppotunities to the 'sons of soil,' in Government establishments.

They demanded that the Centre and Railways give jobs to those who had completed training in Integral Coach Factory to fill the 30,000 vacancies to be appointed at unmanned level crossings and also provide jobs to 5,000 persons who were yet to be employed since 2008 after their training at ICF.

The agitators also wanted implementation of the 49.5 per cent job reservations to SC/ST and OBC in the Central Governmenrt offices.

Activists from MDMK, VCK, TMMK were among the 16 organisations which participted in the agitation.

All of them were arrested while proceeding to the city railway station.