Police remove protesting conservancy workers in Chennai, shift them to marriage halls
Around 600 protesters, including advocates and members of the Communist parties, were removed from the pavement.
Chennai conservancy workers protests: So far, around 600 protesters, including advocates and members of communist parties were moved forcibly from the pavements.
Video credits: R.Ragu pic.twitter.com/nVmOHFtwJG — The Hindu (@the_hindu) August 13, 2025
They were transported in as many as 15 buses to several private marriage halls near Kannappar Thidal, according to police. Many of the protesters fled the spot as soon as the operation began.
Earlier in the day, the workers said that their protest would continue till Chief Minister M.K. Stalin intervenes and resolves the standoff between them and the Corporation over the privatisation of solid waste management in the Royapuram and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar Zones and their demand for job permanency. Their decision comes even after the Madras High Court, on Wednesday, ruled that the workers can protest only in authorised places.
In a letter sent to the Chief Minister on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI) requested urgent intervention on issues affecting sanitation workers in Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Zones (V and VI), who have been protesting since August 1, 2025 against the privatisation of solid waste management and to seek job permanency. The letter stated that without a satisfactory response from the Chief Minister, the protest would continue.
Chennai: Nearly 500 police personnel began detaining conservancy workers of NULM protesting in front of The Ripon Buildings premises. So far, around 600 protesters were moved forcibly from pavements and are being transported to several private marriage halls.
Pic credit: R. Ragu pic.twitter.com/JUcVyBheNx — The Hindu (@the_hindu) August 13, 2025
The requests include immediate reinstatement of removed workers, payment of pending wages, regularisation of jobs for those under the National Urban Livelihood Mission, and implementation of government promises made to them from 2021. They sought permanent employment for 1,200 workers before September 30, 2025, statutory benefits, improved safety measures, and written assurances from the government on job security and the withdrawal of contract labour arrangements.
Balamma, a conservancy worker of Royapuram Zone (V), claimed that since 3 p.m., the Ripon Buildings premises was closed and women had to walk till the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to use public toilets. ' We will not move until job permanency is offered and privatisation is rolled back,' she added.
K. Bharathi of UUI said, 'As the Opposition leader, Mr. Stalin had written to the then State government seeking to make the workers' jobs permanent. The DMK also promised permanency and benefits in its poll manifesto in 2021. . The ongoing protest is to demand the fulfilment of these promises. Hence, the Chief Minister must address this.'
Mayor's call to workers
Meanwhile, Mayor R. Priya asked the workers to join the private firm, Ramky Enviro, and begin conservancy work. She said both the GCC and the workers had approached the Madras High Court.
'Based on the High Court order, the protesting conservancy workers in front of Ripon Building have been asked to disperse and have been requested to join the private firm engaged for conservancy work in Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Zones,' she said.
With privatisation, there is job security and additional benefits, with a safe and systematic work structure for the workers, she said. 'Only after they join the firm, there will be contracts and certain paperwork, only after which salary situations can be determined,' she added.
Meanwhile, a total of 2,145.06 tonnes of waste was cleared from Royapuram Zone (V) and Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar Zone (VI) during a mass cleaning drive on August 11 and 12, according to data released by the GCC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
10 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Opposition parties, some DMK allies condemn overnight arrest of conservancy workers
Opposition parties and some allies of the ruling DMK on Thursday criticised the overnight detention of protesting conservancy workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). In a post on X, AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, addressing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, said: 'At the entrance of Ripon Building, in the dead of night, your administration unleashed oppression, attacking and crushing the sanitation workers who, even during COVID-19, tirelessly cleaned our garbage and kept the city spotless. They were forcibly removed and imprisoned in various places by your enforcement machinery.' 'Who are they? Anti-social elements? Thugs? Naxalites? Not at all. They are poor, simple people! Those who worked daily to keep Chennai city clean. Is it a crime that these sanitation workers protested peacefully, condemning your failure to fulfil the promises you made and acting contrary to them,' he asked. 'The sanitation workers have been imprisoned in more than eight locations. I urge that they be released immediately and that those injured due to these reckless actions be provided proper medical treatment,' Mr. Palaniswami said. In a post on X, Mr. Selvaperunthagai, president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), said even though there is a Madras High Court direction that the conservancy workers can protest only at authorised places, the police should have handled the situation with compassion. He also sought Mr. Stalin's direct intervention in resolving the issue and ensuring the release of the detained workers and those who supported them. Condemning the arrest, BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin did not have the heart to meet the protesting workers, but had time to extend wishes to a film crew, and it is shameful. 'Is oppressing the poor people and taking away their democratic rights the social justice preached by DMK?' he asked. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam condemned the arrest, urged for their release and called for action against the police. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss also took a jibe at Mr. Stalin for watching a movie. 'Unleashing force on poor people is not courage, it is cowardice. Fulfilling their demands is courage. It is certain that the day people remove the DMK from power is not far away,' Dr. Anbumani said. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay also condemned the arrest. 'The sanitation workers have been protesting only to demand the fulfilment of the promises you made when you were in the Opposition. Why have you still not fulfilled those promises? If you cannot keep such promises, why do you make them in the first place,' he said. He also sought the immediate release of the detained sanitation workers and said they must be given an alternative space to continue their protest and present their demands. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) leader G.K. Vasan, AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran, DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader S. Seeman, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) president Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah also condemned the arrest. MDMK chief Vaiko urged the state government to quickly implement the welfare schemes announced for the workers, requesting the workers to accept them and return to work. Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) general secretary and Tiruchengode MLA E.R. Eswaran also requested workers to return to work. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan expressed concern over the arrest of protesting conservancy workers. He welcomed the announcements by the Chief Minister, but said the party does not support privatisation. Chief Minister should reconsider the privatisation decision and called for release of those arrested and should regularise their jobs, Mr. Thirumavalavan said. Meanwhile, the Chennai Press Club condemned the police action, seizing a drone and other equipment from newspersons from Theekkathir newspaper's digital division when they were reporting the news of the protest and detention. In a post on X, the Club urged the police to immediately return the seized equipment and the video files.
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
BJP accuses Congress govt. of ‘smear campaign' against Dharmasthala, Heggade
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday questioned the manner in which the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was conducting a probe into the alleged case of mass burials at Dharmasthala and accused the Congress government of a 'smear campaign' against the Dharmasthala temple and its pattadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade. Former Minister V. Sunil Kumar, who initiated the debate in the Legislative Assembly, alleged that under the pretext of the probe, the government had 'hatched a conspiracy' to spread falsehood against Hindu dharma and the place. Not a single FIR had been filed despite hundreds of social media posts 'slandering' the temple, Shri Manjunatha Swamy, and Dr. Heggade, he said, and questioned the government's silence. There had been a deliberate smear campaign by certain individuals and the government's apparent sympathy towards them has raised suspicion, the BJP leader claimed. Stating that no one was opposing justice for Soujanya, who was murdered in 2012, he said some YouTubers, in the name of freedom of expression, were attacking religious beliefs. The BJP member questioned the government's 'agenda' behind the probe and suspected the role of the INDIA bloc and the Congress high command in the entire episode. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, members S. Suresh Kumar, Araga Jnanendra, B.Y. Vijayendra, Harish Poonja, S.R. Vishwanath, Aravind Bellad (all BJP), and Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal spoke against the government and demanded continuation of SIT probe to identify the people, organisations, and alleged source of funding behind the 'smear campaign' against the temple. Mr. Suresh Kumar claimed the SIT had 'no common sense' and it has been dancing to the tunes of the complainant. Mr. Ashok claimed there was 'a gang' behind the complaint and it had put pressure on the Chief Minister to order the probe. Terming the mask-wearing person (the complainant) as 'Spiderman' who had been enjoying all privileges and was provided security, he said lakhs of taxpayers' money had been spent on the digging. He demanded a NIA probe to nab groups supporting the complainant and sponsoring the 'smear campaign'. Mr. Poonja, who represents Belthangady, demanded that the SIT report be made public. Mr. Jnanendra said the police should have conducted a preliminary probe of the complainant before starting the digging. Mr. Yatnal warned a 'Ayodhya-like movement will be launched' if the government did not stop. All BJP members demanded a halt on the social media posts, a narco test of the complainant, and tabling of the interim probe report. SIT probe aimed at revealing truth: Home Minister In reply to the Opposition's remarks against the government, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the probe 'should not take a political or a dharmic turn.' In a terse reply to the Opposition, he said: 'We have not formed SIT under any pressure. The probe is aimed at unearthing the truth and ensuring justice. We have huge respect for Dharmasthala.' The government has given a free hand to the SIT and action would be taken against any persons who launch false campaigns. He noted the rural development and women empowerment projects, education provided to lakhs of students by trusts headed by the pattadhikari and asked BJP members: 'Don't you need a probe for Dr. Heggade to come clean? Truth will come out as per the framework of the law.' The Home minister is expected to provide a detailed reply on Monday.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
All bark, no byte: when bad data itself becomes the data story
This article forms a part of the Data Point newsletter curated by The Hindu's Data team. To get the newsletter in your inbox, subscribe here Welcome back, data enthusiasts! On August 11, the Supreme Court issued a directive asking for all stray dogs in Delhi to immediately be captured and put into shelters. The SC on Thursday reserved its order on pleas challenging its August 11 directive. Using numbers, The Hindu Data Team wanted to examine the validity of the two debated solutions to the issue: shelter or just vaccinate, sterilise and put them back on the streets. However, as we looked for the number of dog bites in the country, we realised we did not have the latest figure for the number of stray dogs in India. The most recent data for the number of stray dogs was from the 2019 Livestock Census and even in that dataset we found several anomalies. For instance, the 2019 Livestock Census recorded no stray dogs in the State of Manipur, while the State recorded over 5,500 dog bites in the same year. As we struggled to make sense of this data and put it into a digestible, cohesive narrative, we understood that the lack of reliable data was something worth flagging. Because any policy decision requires recent and reliable data for it to be successful. Reports state that Delhi's Animal Birth Control centres, which are not technically shelters, are already in crisis due to overcrowded kennels, understaffing, and lack of necessary equipment. This means that if the SC directive is implemented, it will place further stress on a system that is already reeling. Our piece also presents a case study of how a data-driven rabies elimination programme implemented in Goa was able to drastically reduce the State's number of human rabies cases. Read the story here . We also produced a video explaining this phenomenon in a simple manner. Click here to watch While you're here, have a look at what we've published over the past two weeks: More women than men deleted from electoral rolls in Bihar during SIR: Data This is one of the various pieces we've published which analyse Bihar's draft electoral rolls prepared after the completion of the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise. Our analysis suggests that the method of self-enumeration could have affected women, among whom there is a lower literacy rate, leading to their higher deletion rates. Donald Trump's criticism of India for its oil and arms trade with Russia is factual but illogical: Data Amidst U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for additional tariffs on goods from India, we looked at his criticism of India's recent dependence on Russian oil. We also looked at other countries' contributions to Russia's trade revenue, and questioned Trump's singling out of India. Share of AC berths doubled in last decade in long-distance Indian trains In a Lok Sabha question answered on July 23, the Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, had said that the share of non-AC coaches has 'significantly increased to about 70%'. The reply did not specify the base year from which this increase was calculated. We took the latest numbers and concluded that the share of non-AC berths/seats has decreased, while the share of AC berths/seats has increased. Here are this week's News in Numbers: 4 lakh Data breaches that plagued indian educational institutions in past 9 months Over two lakh cyberattacks were also found in a nine-month study under the CyberPeace Foundation's e-Kawach initiative. More than 8,000 unique usernames and 54,000 passwords are targeted in brute-force attacks, and weak credentials like '123456' and 'password' are common. Experts warn these breaches can lead to impersonation, phishing, deep fakes, theft of research data, and exam paper leaks. Source: PTI 20,000 Number of people affected due to a flood-like situation in Jharkhand In five blocks of Sahibganj district the Ganga's water level rose to 28.61 metres, exceeding the danger mark of 27.25 metres. Authorities have shut all schools in flood-prone areas till August 12, set up about 50 relief camps, and begun distributing food, drinking water, and essential supplies. The district administration has begun providing dry rations such as flattened rice, jaggery, matchsticks, candles and plastic tarpaulin to the affected people. Source: PTI 474 Number of arrests made during the UK's largest protest in support of Palestine Action While 466 of those arrested during a demonstration in London on Saturday were detained under the UK's Terrorism Act for showing support for a proscribed group, eight others were held for other offences, including assaulting police officers. Many of those arrested were displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action. The Met Police, the country's largest police force, said it marked the most arrests made in a single operation in a decade. Source: AFP
