Sri Vijaya Puram | March 4, 2026
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organized Victory Rallies across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 3, 2026, to celebrate the High Court verdict on the regularization of Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs). Hundreds of workers from various parts of the Union Territory participated in rallies and marches to mark the victory and press for the implementation of several key demands.
Workers took to the streets demanding immediate implementation of the High Court order on the regularization of DRMs. They also called for the regularization of all DRMs, contract, outsourced and part-time employees. Among other demands raised during the rallies were payment of 1/30th of pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA) to DRMs working in Gram Panchayats and the Forest Department, enhancement of honorarium for Anganwadi Workers, Anganwadi Helpers and ASHA workers, and withdrawal of the Deemed University proposal with continuation of the affiliation of colleges in the islands with Pondicherry University.
The main programme was held at Sri Vijaya Puram, where a large Victory Rally was taken out from Delanipur Junction. The rally passed through important areas of the town before culminating in front of the Municipal Council headquarters at Aberdeen Bazar.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the rally, CITU General Secretary B. Chandrachoodan explained the High Court order regarding the regularization of Daily Rated Mazdoors and highlighted CITU’s struggle for the cause both on the streets and in courts over the past three decades. He urged the Central Government to implement the High Court order without delay, pointing out that many DRMs have been working for periods ranging from 10 to 30 years.
Chandrachoodan also demanded an immediate enhancement of honorarium for scheme workers, including Anganwadi and ASHA workers in the islands. Expressing solidarity with agitating college students, he stated that students from poor families would not be able to pursue higher education if the proposed Deemed University is implemented.
The rally at Sri Vijaya Puram was led by R. Surendran Pillai, President of CITU, along with Vice Presidents D. Ayyappan and B.C. Bhattacharjee, and State Committee Secretaries S.P. Kalairajan, Anand Rajan, M. Yugander and R. Rajendran. Hundreds of workers, mostly women from Port Blair and rural areas of South Andaman, participated in the rally.
Similar Victory Rallies were organized in several parts of the islands. At Diglipur, a rally was taken out at Diglipur Bazar under the leadership of Barun Biswas, Secretary of the CITU Diglipur Zonal Committee.
In Mayabunder, workers marched through the Mayabunder Bazar area in a rally led by C. Murugeshan, Secretary of the CITU Mayabunder Zonal Committee, along with Gopikulam and Amarjan Majhi of BKU.
At Rangat, the rally held at Rangat Bazar was led by Projit Kumar Sarkar and Karuppaiah, President and Secretary respectively of the CITU Rangat Zonal Committee.
In Kadamtala, a rally was taken out from Uttara Bridge to Kadamtala Bazar under the leadership of Shipra Bala, Secretary of the CITU State Committee.
At Baratang, workers organized a rally at Nilambur Bazar led by Daniel Aint, Vice President of the CITU State Committee, along with Jayakumar, Secretary of the CITU Kadamtala-Baratang Zonal Committee.
A rally was also held at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), led by Suben Bachar of the Forest Union.
At Little Andaman, workers held a rally at Hut Bay Bazar led by Rajesh, Secretary of the Hut Bay branch of ASNVMS.
In Katchal, a rally was taken out at Mildera which culminated near the office of the SRO, Katchal. The rally was led by P. Thyagarajan, who also addressed the workers.
At Campbell Bay, workers organized a rally at Campbell Bay Bazar under the leadership of R. Dhandapani, a member of the CITU State Committee.
