Around 350 NULM workers detained during meet at Chennai park

CHENNAI: Tension prevailed as nearly 350 workers from the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), representing the Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones, were detained by police on Thursday afternoon while holding a general meeting at May Day Park in Chintadripet.

The meeting, organised by the Uzhaipor Urimai Iyakkam (UUI) and the Left Trade Union Centre (LTUC), was intended for workers to discuss family grievances and financial challenges following recent job losses.

According to K Jothi of UUI, the workers lost their jobs around 35 days ago and had gathered “not to protest but to support each other and discuss how families are managing.”

Earlier assurances from police regarding an alternative venue were later changed, and permission to meet was limited to one hour. When workers requested an extension, police detained them and escorted them to multiple locations across the city, including Guindy, Saidapet, Kottivakkam, and Neelankarai. One woman was reportedly injured during the process. All workers were released by 6 PM.

Media personnel attempting to cover the event were also blocked by police. The Chennai Press Club condemned the actions, alleging threats and attempts at physical intimidation against journalists. A complaint was reportedly filed with Deputy Commissioner Vijayakumar. However, he is said to have addressed the journalists in a derogatory manner.

In a separate release, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) reported that between July 19 and September 3, Chennai Enviro Solutions Private Limited (CESPL), the private solid waste management company handling Royapuram and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones, collected 50,490 metric tonnes of solid waste, using 800 vehicles to transport the waste to the Kodungaiyur landfill. Of this, 29,425 metric tonnes came from Royapuram and 21,065 metric tonnes from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.