Motorists fume as CITU protestors take to streets

Traffic was thrown out of gear near Freedom Park and surrounding roads for over two hours on Thursday following a massive demonstration by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Though traffic police deployed additional forces, they had a tough time in ensuring order. Chaos reigned on the stretch between 11 am and 2 pm and the situation became normal only around 3 pm.

The procession by nearly 12,000 people and a huge crowd gathered for a racing event at race course caused the massive jam, DCP (West Traffic) S Girish said. Police top brass, who rushed to the spot, convinced the protesters who give way for traffic.
However, the problem erupted again as the protesters squatted on the road. That was when the vehicular movement came to standstill, Girish added. The police deployed around 100 officers drawn from Byatarayanapura, Upparpet, Kengeri, Vijayanagar and KR Market traffic police stations to ensure order.

Traffic moved at a snail’s pace between Anand Rao Circle and Race Course Road, Platform Road, Seshadri Road and Okalipuram, even as the police made temporary diversions to facilitate commuters.

Rakshitha, a commuter who was stranded for over one and half hours on the Race Course stretch, said: “Two ambulances were stranded in the jam. People were honking continuously hoping to make way for them but nothing happened.” Adding to the chaos, she said, a BMTC bus broke down right under the railway bridge near Seshadripuram.

Likewise, more than 10,000 people gathered at the City Railway Station under the banner of CITU protesting against Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Anganwadi and midday meal workers, contract and factory workers and employees from various other segments took part in the protest.

CITU general secretary

S Prasanna Kumar said the government must ensure that the ESMA is not enforced in the State.

The CITU had placed several demands before the government and expected it to fulfill them in the workers’ interests, he added.