Leaders and activists of various trade unions were arrested at Jagadamba Junction in Visakhapatnam on Monday (August 10, 2026) during a nationwide ‘jail bharo’ protest against the policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

The protesters, who began a procession from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) office at Ellammathota towards the Collectorate, were stopped by the police at Jagadamba Junction. According to the organisers, the police arrested leaders and activists and took them to the Two Town and Four Town police stations.

The protest was organised in the spirit of the Quit India Movement and was part of a call by central trade unions and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha under the slogan “Modi ko hatao, desh ko bachao”. The unions alleged that the Centre’s policies were anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-people.

The protesters demanded the repeal of the four labour codes, an end to the privatisation of public sector undertakings and a minimum wage of ₹31,000 for workers. They also sought equal pay for equal work, the abolition of contract and outsourcing systems and the provision of permanent employment.

Other demands included remunerative prices for farmers’ produce, increased funding for the rural employment guarantee scheme, the repeal of the VBG-RAM Act and an end to the proposed privatisation of electricity, public transport and municipal services.

CITU district general secretary R.K.S.V. Kumar presided over the protest. CITU, INTUC, AITUC, IFTU, CFTUI and APFTU leaders, including M. Jaggu Naidu, Mantri Rajasekhar, G.S.J. Achyuta Rao, Kanakarao, Lakshmi and K. Mahitha, participated.

Published - August 10, 2026 04:01 pm IST