Maruti to get police protection at Manesar after reopening

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Maruti Suzuki, which will take a decision on reopening of its Manesar plant on Monday, will operate the violence-hit facility under police protection on resumption of production with the Haryana government not willing to take a chance.

The state administration feels the necessity to position a complete battalion at the plant due to 'security threat', according to a senior Haryana Police official.

"It has been decided by the government that one full battalion will be there at the Manesar plant to provide security and it will be under an SSP rank officer," Joint Commissioner of Police Anil Kumar told agencies.

The battalion will be under the command of Senior Superintendent of Police Yogender Nehra, he added.

When asked how long the police would guard the Maruti plant after resumption of operations, Kumar said: "The presence of the 500-600 police personnel will continue to be there till the next decision is taken after reopening the plant."

Citing reasons for the extended protection, he said: "Though we have been giving full security and the plant is completely safe, some people are still apprehensive of a security threat."

After the violence on July 18, the Manesar plant is currently being guarded by the Haryana Police.

Following the violence and arson, in which one senior executive was killed and nearly 100 others injured, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) had on July 21 announced an indefinite lockout at the unit.

MSI chief operating officer (Administration) S.Y. Siddiqui said the company will discuss the technical feasibility report on the possible date to reopen the Manesar plant on Monday.

"Along with feasibility report, we will also get a report from the state police regarding the safety and security of the plant. We will take a decision to reopen the plant after considering all the aspects," he added.

Although he did not share any details, it is understood that MSI will take a call on the employment of workers, who have been identified as being involved in the violence and arson.

Earlier, MSI had said it was considering to deploy advanced safety measures for its employees at the plant.

The company had said it was exploring the best safety measures in terms of equipment, personnel and on-ground training for its employees.

The Haryana government had set up a special investigation team, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravinder Tomar, to probe the incident.

On August 1, the police had arrested 10 office bearers of the Maruti Suzuki Workers' Union including its president Ram Meher and general secretary Sarabjit Singh, taking the total number of worker-arrests to 114 in relation to the incident.

The state government had appointed eminent criminal advocate K.T.S. Tulsi as special public prosecutor for the case.