Port Blair, May 1: CITU and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association jointly organized various programmes to mark the May Day today in various parts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The main programme was held at Port Blair where the May Day procession was taken out from Crusade House premises, Phoenix Bay at 4.00 p.m. which, after making a round of the important points of the city, culminated at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar.  

Addressing the gathering, Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee criticized the central government for pursuing various anti-labour policies in the country.  Smt Nazreen Begum, Vice President of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association while speaking on the occasion briefly explained the origin of May Day and referred to the martyrdom of workers who, while demanding 8 hours’ work in a day, were killed by the police in the Chicago town of USA in the year 1886.

Addressing the gathering, Shri D. Laxman Rao, trade union leader, blamed the BJP government for the various problems the islanders are facing.  Shri R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU said that a regime which  does not mind the problems of workers cannot make any development in the society.

Shri D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU A & N State Committee, Shri M. Boominathan, Vice President, CITU State Committee and Shri R. Rajendran, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association led the procession. A large number of government employees and workers from various unions participated in the procession, which was organized by observing the Covid 19 protocol.  

In the morning, Party flag was hoisted at Shaheed Bhavan, CPI (M) State Headquarters at Anarkali, Port Blair by Shri D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee. Thereafter, CITU and CPI (M) flags were hoisted at various places of Port Blair town and rural South Andaman areas by groups of party and CITU leaders. CITU flag was hoisted at the Peerless Resorts premises at Corbyn’s Cove by Shri B. Chandrachoodan, President, Peerless Resorts Employees Union. 

At Baratang, the May Day procession organized at Nilambur bazaar was led by Shri Jayakumar and Shri Daniel Aint. At Hut Bay (Little Andaman), the May Day procession of CITU was led by Shri Rajesh. 

At Billiground, the May Day was observed by organizing a public meeting at Billiground Bazar which was addressed by CPI(M) leaders Shri Nikunjo Biswas, Shri Rahul Dev Mridha, Shri Prakash Sardar and Shri Sukhranjan Mridha.  

At Diglipur, the May Day was observed by organizing procession and public meeting.  Smt Shipra Paul, CITU State Committee Member, Shri Barun Biswas, Secretary, CITU Zonal Committee, Shri Sunil Bepari, State Committee Member, CPI (M) and Shri KP Paul, Pensioners’ Association led the procession and addressed the meeting. A large number of workers participated in the procession and meeting. 

At Katchal, the May Day procession of CITU was led by Shri Murugan in which a large number of workers participated.