Ahead of the first anniversary of violence at the Maruti plant in Manesar near here, the district administration Thursday banned protests and rallies near the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway and the Manesar area, a spokesperson said.
Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon P.C. Meena banned all types of protests and rallies in and around Industrial Model Township (IMT) Manesar, including on and along National Highway 8, without prior permission from the administration.
"The proposed rally by the sacked Maruti workers and local villagers' threat to oppose it is a matter of concern. The probable conflict between the two may disturb the peace, law and order situation of the area. It was necessary to impose the ban," Meena said.
Villagers near the Industrial Model Township (IMT) Manesar last week threatened to oppose Maruti Udyog Ltd's workers' meeting to mark the first anniversary of the July 18 violence in the automobile factory.
The orders said that Gurgaon is one of the busiest towns of India due to its diverse business activities relating to industrial, financial and BPO activities. Therefore, a conducive, congenial and peaceful atmosphere is the need of the times to transact business smoothly and peacefully to achieve further goals and to take positive and quick strides towards progress of the district of Gurgaon, which has the potential to contribute towards boosting the economy of the state.
Nearly two dozen sarpanches (village heads) urged Gurgaon Commissioner of Police Alok Mittal and Deputy Commissioner P.C. Meena not to allow the workers' meeting at Manesar.
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"We will not allow the (workers') meeting," the sarpanches said in their letter.
Violence had erupted July 18 last year after a suspended Maruti Udyog worker at the Manesar plant allegedly slapped a supervisor. A senior executive was killed and over 100 people were injured in the violence.
After the incident, the company sacked nearly 2,500 workers. Of them, 147 workers - including then union leaders - were jailed and are facing trial.
Workers want their jobs back and a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry or a probe by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana high Court into the incident.
The plant is now functioning with new staff.