Arrest of four railway employees sparks tension

CHENNAI: Tension prevailed as railway workers gathered before the police commissioner’s office, protesting against the arrest of four of their colleagues, at Egmore on Monday.In January, staff of Railway Employees Cooperative Credit Society Ltd, run by railway workers and managed by leaders of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU), formed their own union and conducted a sit-in relay strike, accusing the ‘management’ of ill-treatment. During the strike held at the union office near the Central railway station, a surveillance camera was alleged smashed. On the basis of a complaint lodged by senior SRMU leader Manivannan, Periamet police arrested four railway workers - Thirumal, Harikrishnan, Sathish Kumar and Madan.On Monday, around 200 railway staff gathered at the police commissionerate and demanded that they be allowed to meet the CoP to present a petition condemning the arrest. While police personnel were deployed in full strength at the gates, senior officers told the protesters that only a few of them would be allowed entry. Later, some employees went inside to present the petition to the CoP.