300 left activists held for Food Bill stir

Over 300 protestors, including two Left party MLAs, were arrested after they picketed six places in Puducherry, demanding the passage of the National Food Security Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament after removal of the clauses affecting the poor.

Among other demands were supply of essential commodities to all from ration shops and quality rice. The protestors also demanded that the quantum of kerosene and sugar distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) not be reduced.

Those arrested included former Agriculture minister R Viswanathan, CPI secretary Nara Kalainathan and ex-MLA ,T Murugan and the State Secretary of CPI . They were released later.