Maruti violence: 10 ringleaders nabbed

Ten office-bearers of the Maruti Suzuki Workers' Union, wanted by the police since the violent confrontation between workers and the management at the Manesar plant last month that lead to the virtual murder of human resources manager Awanish Kumar Dev, have been arrested.

''They were arrested at the Hansi bus stand following a tip-off while they were trying to escape to Rajasthan. With this, all 12 office-bearers who are the prime accused in the case have been accounted for,'' Haryana director-general of police R S Dalal told a press conference in Gurgaon on Wednesday.

The arrested are chief patron Sandeep Dhillon, president Ram Meher, vice president Sohan Kumar, general secretary Sarvjeet Singh, cashier Suresh Kumar, legal adviser Ajmer Singh, joint secretary Pawan Kumar and executive members Rambilas, Amarjeet and Pradeep Kumar.

Organising secretary Yogesh Yadav and executive member Dhanraj were arrested earlier.

DGP Dalal said a total of 114 workers had been arrested so far, and more arrests could follow.

Dalal said the arrests would help to complete investigation faster. ''I called on Maruti India's managing director and chief executive officer Shinzo Nakanishi today and he felt much relieved over the development. I assured him protection at the plant and for the management officials, and advised him to decide soon on the reopening of the company.''

A Haryana trained battalion comprising with 650-odd policemen would soon be stationed at the Industrial Model Township in Manesar exclusively to deal with incidents of violence in factories, the DGP said.