Following the death of a TASMAC employee in an arson attack by a violent mob, a demonstration was staged by the Joint Action Committee of all TASMAC Unions in front of TASMAC Head Office at Kavundampalayam today demanding security to the lives and properties of the employees. The demonstration was led by Ramasundaram, Secretary of Pattali Trade Union.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing intense agitations by political parties and general public demanding closure of liquor shops. As part of the agitation, quite a few TASMAC shops had been looted and plundered. In one such incident near Vazhappadi in Salem district, an employee named Selvam, who was sleeping inside the TASMAC shop, was killed in an arson attack. Shocked and nervous TASMAC workers are seeking protection of their lives and properties and have urged the government to clarify its stand on prohibition.

Following the death, a committee member said that TASMAC officers have ordered the employees to not stay during the nights in the outlets, while the police insist that they should. The committee has also demanded that, in the event that Prohibition is implemented, the present TASMAC staff should be accommodated in other government posts.

District office bearers of CITU-affiliated TASMAC union, S. Moorthy, John Anthonyraj, and Ramakrishnan, LPF union leader Tamilselvan, INTUC leader Rajesh, Government Employees Union Sivakumar, and others addressed the demonstrators. Large number of TASMAC employees participated in the demonstration. Earlier, the photo of the deceased employee, Selvam, was garlanded and homage was paid to him.