The fracas at Perambur rail stadium over access to the facility
“This rule has been brought in by SRSA Secretary to suit Kanniah while he takes his walk in the stadium and uses the gym” -P. S. Suryaprakasam
CHENNAI: The railway stadium in Perambur witnessed tense scenes on Friday, 1st June, morning after members of Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) and Southern Railway Employees Sangh (SRES) got into a fracas with N. Kanniah, the general secretary of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU), over access to the facility.
The Southern Railway Sports Association (SRSA) had decided to levy Rs. 350 per month for outsiders wanting to use the stadium, from 1st June. However, DREU and SRES have protested against this decision.
“This rule has been brought in by Southern Railway Sports Authority (SRSA) Secretary and CPDE A. K. Sinha to suit Kanniah while he takes his walk in the stadium and uses the gym,” said SRES general secretary P. S. Suryaprakasam.
Staff from SRSA, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the police were present at the venue when DREU and SRES men entered the stadium. A couple of railway employees using the gymnasium were allegedly questioned by Kanniah who according to eye-witnesses was having a message.
“You have resigned from railways, Do you have permission? Do your bodyguards have permission?” one employee then asked Kanniah.
At this juncture, DREU working president A. Janakiraman entered the scene and had a verbal duel with Kanniah.
Janakiraman questioned Kanniah why he doesn’t allow other workers to use the facility while he is there. “You keep the toilets locked. Where will those using the stadium relieve themselves,” he asked. Kanniah responded the allegations were untrue.
While Janakiraman confirmed the incident, Kanniah could not be reached for comment. A source close to Kanniah confirmed the fracas. In the past, he has denied allegations of stopping other railway employees from using the facility.
Chief Planning and Degine Engineer and Secretary, SRSA, A. K. Sinha did not respond to calls and messages.
Railway Society staff union says, Such was the state of affairs in the Perambur railway stadium that even athletes who represented India at Olympics were not allowed to use the track when N. Kanniah goes for a stroll and an open secret that most of the officers in Southern Railway are more loyal to him than to the Railways.
Courtesy: TOI