Headload workers thrash construction workers for not paying 'nokkukooli'

POTHENCODE: A complaint was lodged that a contractor and construction workers were beaten in a dispute over non-payment of Gawking wage (nokkukooli) at a building site. The incident took place at Kaduvakuzhi in Pothencode's Nannattukavu at 10 am yesterday. Pothencode police have registered a case and taken two loading workers into custody. The clash took place where belt concrete for the basement of a newly constructed house for a Chengannur resident was being carried out.

Manikandan, who has been contracted to concrete, had unloaded steel bars. Questioning this, during the commencement of concrete work yesterday, the union workers came to the spot and demanded Rs 10,000. The contractor refused to pay. This led to controversy and conflict. Fifteen workers from trade unions such as CITU, INTUC, AITUC and BMS demanded 'nokkukooli'. Three injured construction workers and a young man who recorded scenes of torture on a mobile phone were taken to hospital.