Political parties oppose merger of Pudukottai RMS unit with Tiruchi office

A section of members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam laid siege to the Railway Mail Service (RMS) office functioning near Pudukottai railway station condemning the Centre’s move to shift and merge the office with that of Tiruchi.

A section of members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Congress, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam laid siege to the Railway Mail Service (RMS) office functioning near Pudukottai railway station condemning the Centre’s move to shift and merge the office with that of Tiruchi.

The agitation started before dawn with around 100 members belonging to various political parties resorting to agitation demanding that the Centre drop the proposed merger. CPI(M) district secretary S. Sankar said the Pudukottai RMS office had been functioning for 75 years near Pudukottai railway station and its merger with the Tiruchi office would affect postal services in rural areas in the district.

Despite talks held by police and revenue officials, the protesters continued with their stir which went on for nearly five hours.  A senior official from the Postal Department held talks with the protesters during which they put forth their demand to him. 

The official gave an assurance in writing to the protesting members of political parties that their representation would be forwarded to the Postmaster General, Tiruchi. The merger proposal of the Pudukottai RMS would be kept in abeyance till a response was received for the representation and till the outcome was known. Following the assurance, the protesters dispersed from the spot.