India: Over 2000 protesters arrested in Vellore (Tamil Nadu) January 25

Event

Over 2000 members of the Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organizations and Government Employees Organizations (JACTTO-GEO), including teachers and government employees, were arrested while marching to Collector's Office Road in Vellore (Tamil Nadu state) on Friday, January 25. The protest marked a third consecutive day in which protesters obstructed roads in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai, among other areas in Tamil Nadu, to demand the payment of back wages and the implementation of a prior pension system. Thousands of teachers are participating in an associated indefinite strike ongoing since Tuesday, January 22.

Similar protests, including resulting in the obstruction of roads and arrests of protesters, are to be expected in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, and other areas of Tamil Nadu state until the labor disagreement is resolved. Disruptions to regularly scheduled classes in public schools are also to be expected across the state.

Advice

Individuals in Tamil Nadu state are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, budget additional time to travel in affected areas, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.