Class struggle in India

Diamond workers

Indian Express, 2. January 2011 :

Quarry workers go on indefinite strike

Workers in around 2,000 blackstone quarries in the state have go on an indefinite strike since Friday to protest state government’s “non-responsive” attitude towards their long-pending demands.

Sources said the strike may affect major projects like Mahatma Mandir, lining of Narmada and other civic projects in seven cities. Besides, various real estate projects by the private developers may also hit a roadblock due to the strike.

Indian Express, 2 January 2011 :

Diamond workers take to street over pay hike

Police have detained 10 for stone-pelting incidents in Varachha, Kapodara.

Diamond workers took to the streets on Saturday morning agitating for hike in wages. The police dispersed the protesters, while over 10 youths were detained.

A few days ago, the Diamond Workers Association (DWA) had issued a warning to the Surat Diamond Association of a strike if their demands for 30 per hike in salaries was not fulfilled. DWA had given an ultimatum till January 2.

Pamphlets and banners, in support of the movement, were hung and distributed in different areas in the city for the last few days.

On Saturday morning, several diamond polishers came out on the streets in Katargam, Ved Road, Kapodara and Varachha. Several groups of diamond polishers roamed the streets, appealing the people to support the agitation.

Seeing the situation going out of control, the Surat police began patrols from morning till evening.

In Katargam at Nandu Doshi Wadi, after several people resorted to stone-pelting, the police rushed to the spot and asked the workers to go back to work. Inspector Vinay Shukal of Katargam police station said they asked the diamond workers not to indulge in stone-pelting and violence.

Stone-pelting was also reported from Varachha and Kapodara. The police detained 10 youths from Varachha in this connection.