Coimbatore, May 19: Nearly 3,500 powerloom weavers, workers and cloth traders were arrested today at erode and Tirupur towns for staging 'rail roko' in protest against 10 per cent excise duty on powerloom products. About 3,200 weavers and traders, holding banners, squatted on the track near erode railway station in the afternoon, blocking a goods train for half an hour, police said.
Meanwhile, over 250 persons were dispersed when they were proceeding towards the Tirupur railway station to block a train.
More than one lakh looms in Tirupur, Avanashi, Pallada and Somanur in the district have stopped production in protest against the excise duty and the implementation of CENVAT. Bureau Report