Chennai, 14 August (H.S.): A midnight crackdown by the Chennai police led to the detention of around 1,000 cleanliness workers who had been protesting outside the Ripon Building, the headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), for nearly two weeks. The protesters were demanding better working conditions and opposed the privatization of solid waste management in two zones of the city.

The police operation resulted in the arrest of both men and women protesters, who were then taken to various community halls and wedding venues across the city. While the women detainees were released on Thursday morning, the men remained in custody. Interestingly, the released women chose not to leave the detention sites, expressing solidarity with their male counterparts.

The protesters, including lawyers and law students supporting the workers' cause, were forcibly removed from their protest site. Police officials are now urging the detainees to continue their protest at designated sites, such as near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, after obtaining necessary permissions as per court directions. The police have seized the protesters' mobile phones, and discussions are underway to decide the next course of action.

The Madras High Court had previously directed authorities to clear the unauthorized protest site, leading to the police crackdown. The GCC's decision to privatize solid waste management has sparked controversy, with opposition parties weighing in on the issue. The fate of the detained protesters and the future of the protest movement remain uncertain as the situation unfolds.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary