Bengaluru: The protests over Central government’s new Provident Fund (PF) policy turned violent on Tuesday, April 19 as agitators resorted to stone pelting and burnt several buses in Bengaluru.

The garment industry and other private company workers’ protest which entered the second day on Tuesday escalated as they torched five buses and a police station. They also blocked highway which stalled vehicluar movement for hours.

The protesters are demanding changes in the new policy as they fear that they would be under loss as per the new rules in which people can withdraw only a part of their provident fund before retirement and can access the employer’s contribution only after they are 58. The protesters also said that many of them are unsure of staying in government jobs till they are 58, and need financial security.

A 18-year-old, Preethi was injured during police firing and has been rushed to the nearby hospital.

Over 9 policemen including a ACP and PSI were injured as protesters stormed inside the Hebbagodi police station and set it on fire. It has been reported that several women protesters too were injured when the police resorted to lathicharge.

Sources said that protests erupted at Peenya industrial area, Bommasandra, Bommanahalli, Electronics City, Hulimavu, Arakere, Kudlu Gate and Singasandra and several other places across the state. 

The protest in Ramanagar was intensified after Madhura garment workers protested by blocking the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway in Basavanapura. As per latest reports, protestors attacked Biocon unit on Hosur Road. The employees inside took cover inside the office. It is said that protesters attacked the security personnel too.

Police lathicharged workers at Kodichikkanahalli in Bengaluru also. The cops tried to attack media personnel too. There was heavy traffic jam on Hosur Road due to the protest.

The protest turned violent on Tumakuru Road in Gurguntepalya with protesters pelting stones on police and private vehicles. Over 50 vehicles were reportedly damaged. The police have arrested five protesters.

Workers held a massive protest rally against the new PF policy on Mysuru Road too. They took rally from Sirsi circle to Freeedom Park.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara has urged the protesters to cancel the protest. “Destruction of public property is not correct. They should come forward for talks,” he said, promosing action at the earliest.

The city has hundreds of garment units with an estimated five lakh workers. Amid strong objections, the rules, which restrict withdrawal of provident fund, have been put on hold  for three more months.